The LACE Score as a Tool to Identify Radical Cystectomy Patients at Increased Risk of 90-Day Readmission and Mortality.

Introduction: Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer is associated with high rates of readmission. We investigated the LACE score, a validated prediction tool for readmission and mortality, in the radical cystectomy population.

Materials & Methods: Patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were identified by ICD-9 codes from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database for California years 2007-2010. The LACE score was calculated as previously described, with components of L: length of stay, A: acuity of admission, C: comorbidity, and E: number of emergency department visits within 6 months preceding surgery.

Results: Of 3,470 radical cystectomy patients, 638 (18.4%) experienced 90-day readmission, and 160 (4.6%) 90-day mortality. At a previously validated "high-risk" LACE score ≥ 10, patients experienced an increased risk of 90-day readmission (22.8 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.002) and mortality (9.1 vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001). On adjusted multivariable analysis, "high risk" patients by LACE score had increased 90-day odds of readmission (adjusted OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.99-1.54, p = 0.050) and mortality (adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.47-2.99, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The LACE score reasonably identifies patients at risk for 90-day mortality following radical cystectomy, but only poorly predicts readmission. Providers may use the LACE score to target high-risk patients for closer follow-up or intervention.