Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individuals with diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of developing malignant tumors, and diagnosing these tumors can be challenging. AIM: To confirm the benefits of using peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) for diagnostic imaging in diabetic patients with malignant tumors and to provide a research basis for follow-up research. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 204 diabetic patients with malignancies treated at The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, from January 2024 to June 2024. The patients were divided into two groups: A control group (n = 102) with indwelling peripheral intravenous catheters and a research group (n = 102) with high-pressure-resistant PICC. The study compared baseline data, the incidence of iodine contrast extravasation during CECT, the incidence of adverse events (discomfort, redness and swelling at the puncture site, and blood oozing), imaging quality, nursing time, intubation success rate, number of venipuncture attempts, and catheter maintenance cost. RESULTS: Male patients accounted for 51.96% in the control group and 55.88% in the research group; the average age was (59.68 ± 11.82) years in the control group and (61.41 ± 12.92) years in the research group; the proportions of lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer patients in the control group were 42.16%, 38.24%, and 19.61%, respectively, while those in the research group were 34.31%, 37.25%, and 28.43%, respectively. Except for the gender distribution, age, and cancer type mentioned above, other general information such as underlying diseases, puncture location, and long-term chemotherapy shows no significant differences as tested (P > 0.05). The results showed that the research group had significantly reduced incidence of iodine contrast extravasation (7 vs 1, P = 0.031), similar incidence of adverse events (11 vs 7, P = 0.324), reduced nursing time [(18.50 ± 2.68) minutes vs (13.26 ± 3.00) minutes, P = 0.000], fewer venipuncture attempts [(2.21 ± 0.78) times vs (1.49 ± 0.58) times, P = 0.000], lower catheter maintenance cost [(1251.79 ± 205.47) China yuan (CNY) vs (1019.25 ± 117.28) CNY, P = 0.000], increased intubation success rate (16.67% vs 58.82%, P = 0.000), and better imaging quality (85.29% vs 94.12%, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: High-pressure-resistant PICCs can lessen the physical burden of diabetic patients during nursing, reduce treatment costs, and improve the efficiency and quality of imaging for diagnosis malignant tumors.