OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Colorectal cancer (CRC) pose substantial health challenges with interconnected risk factors among elderly individuals. Despite their potential link, the onset of CKD post-CRC diagnosis lacks a comprehensive exploration. This study delves into this critical relationship, aiming to uncover the emergence of CKD following CRC diagnosis, an area needing deeper understanding for tailored interventions.

METHODS: Utilizing retrospective SEER-Medicare data (2015-2019), we investigated CKD incidence among elderly individuals (≥65 years) diagnosed with CRC between 2016 and 2018. We used descriptive statistics to identify key factors such as demographics, cancer specifics, comorbidities, and nephrotoxic medications. Incidence rates of CKD and its stages post-CRC diagnosis were calculated. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of CKD.

RESULTS: A total of 15,869 CRC patients were identified of which 1795 developed CKD within a year post CRC diagnosis. Individuals with CKD were older (mean age 78.4 vs. 75.8), predominantly male 945 (52.7%), and exhibited racial disparities, notably higher proportions of black patients in CKD group compared to non-CKD (12.1% vs 9.0%). The incidence rate of CKD among elderly CRC patients was 113.1 per 1000 person-years. Stratified by CKD stages, the incidence rates varied from 2.9 per 1000 person-years among stage 1 and to 54.7 per 1000 person-years among stage 3.

CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates the relationship between CRC and CKD in elderly populations, emphasizing the multifaceted impact of demographics, cancer characteristics, and comorbidities on CKD emergence post-CRC diagnosis. These insights pave the way for tailored interventions aimed at mitigating CKD burden among CRC patients. Future studies focused on health care resource utilization and costs would provide better understanding of this patient population.