# Association of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration With Mortality in Patients With Cancer

## TL;DR

This study finds that higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is linked to lower mortality in critically ill cancer patients.

## Contribution

The study establishes MCHC as a novel independent predictor of mortality in ICU cancer patients.

## Key findings

- Higher MCHC is associated with better survival in cancer ICU patients.
- Each unit increase in MCHC reduces 30-day and 90-day mortality risk.
- Patients with highest MCHC have significantly lower mortality risk than those with lowest MCHC.

## Abstract

Background: While mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) correlates with prognosis in various critical conditions, its relationship with mortality in ICU patients with cancer remains underexplored.

Methods: We included 20,055 cancer patients with available MCHC values. Data extracted included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters within 24 hours, illness severity scores, and vasoactive medication use. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 90-day in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between MCHC and mortality.

Results: Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant survival differences across MCHC quartiles, with higher MCHC associated with better survival. In fully adjusted Cox models, each unit increase in MCHC was associated with lower mortality risk at 30 days (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.83-0.89) and 90 days (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.83-0.88). Patients in the highest MCHC quartile had significantly lower mortality risk compared to the lowest quartile (30-day - HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.49-0.63; 90-day - HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.49-0.62). Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent associations across all clinical strata.

Conclusion: Lower MCHC levels at ICU admission are independently associated with increased short-term and medium-term mortality in critically ill cancer patients.