Eight-Year Trends in Megestrol Acetate Prescription Among Korean Patients with Biliary-Pancreatic Cancer and Their Impact.

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced anorexia and cachexia are significant challenges for patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Megestrol acetate (MA), used to manage anorexia, has side effects and may trigger prescription cascades in cancer treatment. This study analyzed MA prescription trends and associated effects in BTC or PDAC patients.

METHODS

MA prescription rates among BTC or PDAC patients were examined using data from the Health Insurance and Review Assessment Service database in Korea. We investigated thrombosis and anti-coagulant prescription rates during the same period.

RESULTS

Analysis of 31,114 patients diagnosed with BTC or PDAC between 2009 and 2016 revealed significant increases in MA prescriptions: from 4.42% to 44.62% in BTC patients and from 7.56% to 63.15% in PDAC patients (p < 0.0001). In 2009, thrombosis was diagnosed in 5.58% of BTC patients and 6.83% of PDAC patients, rising to 7.62% and 12.47% by 2016. Anticoagulant prescriptions also increased, from 0.84% to 16.97% for BTC patients and from 2.37% to 15.96% for PDAC patients.

CONCLUSION

MA prescriptions for BTC or PDAC patients increased significantly over 8 years. Patients on long-term MA had higher anticoagulant prescription rates compared to those not on long-term MA.