Objective
To analyze patient characteristics of cancer rehabilitation and outcomes at our hospital.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed 580 patients, who underwent cancer rehabilitation at our hospital and rehabilitation outcome after therapy were investigated. The relationship between the initial Barthel index and discharge outcomes was investigated, with a special focus on cancer patients with bone metastasis. The Barthel index and performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) before and after rehabilitation were analyzed, and threshold value of home discharge was calculated from a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). General criteria for home discharge from our hospital included independence in performing basic activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, and toileting or availability of home support from a family member/caregiver.
Results
The outcomes after rehabilitation among all the patients were as follows: discharge home 59%, death 13%, and others 27%. Statistical differences were observed between the initial and final values of the Barthel index in patients with bone metastasis, who could be discharged home (p=0.012). ROC analysis of the initial Barthel index for predicting home discharge revealed a threshold value of 60, sensitivity of 0.76, and specificity of 0.72.
Conclusion
The patients with bone metastasis had a lower rate of home discharge and a higher rate of mortality than all the study patients who underwent cancer rehabilitation at our hospital. It is proposed that at the time of initiation of rehabilitation for patients with bone metastasis, an initial Barthel index lower than 60 might predict a worse outcome than home discharge.

Citations

• Discharge health education needs and experiences of patients with skeletal-related events from bone metastases: A qualitative study
  Jing Shan, Shuangyan Wang, Fan Ding, Junli Liang, Jianxin Wang, Donglai Wang, Ewa Tomaszewska
  PLOS One.2026; 21(6): e0341790.     CrossRef
• Factors Associated with Discharge Destination in Patients with Bone Metastases
  Hanako Himematsu, Yukiyo Shimizu, Tami Yuhara, Kenta Hiasa, Masashi Yamazaki, Yasushi Hada
  Medicina.2024; 60(6): 881.     CrossRef
• Immediate family support is important to discharge home for cancer patient with bone metastasis after rehabilitation
  Ryosuke Ikeguchi, Manabu Nankaku, Rie Yamawaki, Hiroki Tanaka, Ryota Hamada, Takumi Kawano, Masanobu Murao, Gakuto Kitamura, Tatsuya Sato, Toru Nishikawa, Takashi Noguchi, Shinichi Kuriyama, Akio Sakamoto, Shuichi Matsuda
  Medicine.2021; 100(37): e27273.     CrossRef