D-Dimer predicts prognosis and non-resectability in patients with pancreatic cancer

a prospective cohort study

Abstract

To examine the impact of plasma D-dimer levels in predicting 3-year survival and nonresectability in pancreatic cancer patients. Ninety-five patients were divided into three groups according to plasma D-dimer levels. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and hazard ratios were computed, and diagnostic indices of D-dimer in the prediction of resectability were assessed. The median survival among patients with low, medium and high D-dimer levels was 13.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.2–19.6], 6.2 (95% CI: 2.0–15.1) and 2.4 months (95% CI: 1.4–3.3), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio of death in the group of patients with high D-dimer levels was 2.2 (95% CI: 1.1–4.2). The positive and negative predictive values of D-dimer in the prediction of nonresectability were 89% (95% CI: 77–96%) and 48% (95% CI: 33– 63%), respectively. An elevated D-dimer level is associated with reduced survival in pancreatic cancer and predicts nonresectability.