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Subramaniam S, Kong YC, Yip CH, Thiagarajan M, Pailoor J, Zaharah H, Taib NA, See MH, Sarfati D, Bhoo-Pathy N. Association between pre-existing cardiometabolic comorbidities and the pathological profiles of breast cancer at initial diagnosis: a cross sectional study. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1512. [PMID: 37113731 PMCID: PMC10129381 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2022.1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of comorbidities has been associated with later stages of breast cancer diagnosis. It is unclear whether biological mechanisms are partly responsible. We examined the association between the presence of pre-existing comorbidities and tumour profile at initial diagnosis with breast cancer. Data for the present analysis were derived from a prior inception cohort study comprising 2,501 multiethnic women, newly diagnosed with breast cancer between 2015 and 2017 in four hospitals across Klang Valley. At the inception of the cohort, medical and drug histories, height, weight and blood pressure were recorded. Blood samples were taken to measure serum lipid and glucose. Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated using data extracted from medical records. The association of CCI as well as specific comorbidities, with pathological breast cancer profile was analysed. Higher comorbidity burden, namely cardiometabolic conditions were associated with unfavourable pathological features including larger tumours, involvement of >9 axillary lymph nodes, distant metastasis and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression. These associations remained largely significant following multivariable analyses. Specifically, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with high nodal metastasis burden. Low level of high-density lipoprotein was associated with larger tumours (>5 cm), and distant metastasis. Evidence from this study seems to support the hypothesis that the later stages of breast cancer diagnosis in women with (cardiometabolic) comorbidities may be partially explained by underlying pathophysiological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shridevi Subramaniam
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Yek-Ching Kong
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Cheng-Har Yip
- Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Muthukkumaran Thiagarajan
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur 50586, Malaysia
| | | | - Hafizah Zaharah
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya 62250, Malaysia
| | - Nur Aishah Taib
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Mee-Hoong See
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Diana Sarfati
- National Director of Cancer Control, and Chief Executive Cancer Control Agency, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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Wang Q, Aktary ML, Spinelli JJ, Shack L, Robson PJ, Kopciuk KA. Pre-diagnosis lifestyle, health history and psychosocial factors associated with stage at breast cancer diagnosis - Potential targets to shift stage earlier. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 78:102152. [PMID: 35390584 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early detection of breast cancer improves survival, so identifying factors associated with stage at diagnosis may help formulate cancer prevention messages tailored for higher risk women. The goal of this study was to evaluate associations between multiple potential risk factors, including novel ones, measured before a breast cancer diagnosis and stage at diagnosis in women from Alberta, Canada. METHODS Women enrolled in Alberta's Tomorrow Project completed health and lifestyle questionnaires on average 7 years before their breast cancer diagnosis. The association of previously identified and novel predictors with stage (I, II and III + IV) at diagnosis were simultaneously evaluated in partial proportional odds ordinal (PPO) regression models. RESULTS The 492 women in this study were predominantly diagnosed in Stage 1 (51.4%), had college or university education (75.4%), were married or had a partner (74.6%), had been pregnant (90.2%), had taken birth control pills for any reason (86.8%), and had an average body mass index of 26.6. Most had at least one mammogram (83%) with five mammograms the average number. Nearly all reported previously having a breast health examination from a medical practitioner (92.5%). Statistically significant factors identified in the PPO model included protective ones (older age at diagnosis, high household income, parity, smoking, spending time in the sun during high ultraviolet times, having a mammogram and high daily protein intake) and ones that increased risk of later stage at diagnosis (a comorbidity, current stressful situations and high daily caloric intake). CONCLUSION Shifting breast cancer stage at diagnosis downwards may potentially be achieved through cancer prevention programs that target higher risk groups such as women with co-morbidities, non-smokers and younger women who may be eligible for breast cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinggang Wang
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Michelle L Aktary
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - John J Spinelli
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Population Oncology, BC Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Lorraine Shack
- Cancer Surveillance and Reporting, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Paula J Robson
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Karen A Kopciuk
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Departments of Oncology, Community Health Sciences and Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Boakye D, Günther K, Niedermaier T, Haug U, Ahrens W, Nagrani R. Associations between comorbidities and advanced stage diagnosis of lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol 2021; 75:102054. [PMID: 34773768 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Comorbidities and advanced stage diagnosis (ASD) are both associated with poorer cancer outcomes, but the association between comorbidities and ASD is poorly understood. We summarized epidemiological evidence on the association between comorbidities and ASD of selected cancers in a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases up to June 3rd, 2021 for studies assessing the association between comorbidities and ASD of lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Also, potential variations in the associations between comorbidities and ASD by cancer type were investigated using random-effects meta-regression. Thirty-seven studies were included in this review, including 8,069,397 lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients overall. The Charlson comorbidity index score was positively associated with ASD (stages III-IV) of breast cancer but was inversely associated with ASD of lung cancer (pinteraction = 0.004). Regarding specific comorbidities, diabetes was positively associated with ASD (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.09-1.26), whereas myocardial infarction was inversely associated with ASD (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.75-0.95). The association between renal disease and ASD differed by cancer type (pinteraction < 0.001). A positive association was found with prostate cancer (OR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.58-2.59) and an inverse association with colorectal cancer (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.70-1.00). In summary, certain comorbidities (e.g., diabetes) may be positively associated with ASD of several cancer types. It needs to be clarified whether closer monitoring for early cancer signs or screening in these patients is reasonable, considering the problem of over-diagnosis particularly relevant in patients with short remaining life expectancy such as those with comorbidities. Also, evaluation of the cost-benefit relationship of cancer screening according to the type and severity of comorbidity (rather than summary scores) may be beneficial for personalized cancer screening in populations with chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Boakye
- Department of Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Günther
- Department of Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tobias Niedermaier
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Haug
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany; Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Ahrens
- Department of Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Rajini Nagrani
- Department of Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
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Ayeni OA, Norris SA, Joffe M, Cubasch H, Galukande M, Zietsman A, Parham G, Adisa C, Anele A, Schüz J, Anderson BO, Foerster M, dos Santos Silva I, McCormack VA. Preexisting morbidity profile of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes study. Int J Cancer 2021; 148:2158-2170. [PMID: 33180326 PMCID: PMC8129872 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The presence of preexisting morbidities poses a challenge to cancer patient care. There is little information on the profile and prevalence of multi-morbidities in breast cancer patients across middle income countries (MIC) to lower income countries (LIC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) breast cancer cohort spans upper MICs South Africa and Namibia, lower MICs Zambia and Nigeria and LIC Uganda. At cancer diagnosis, seven morbidities were assessed: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, tuberculosis and HIV. Logistic regression models were used to assess determinants of morbidities and the influence of morbidities on advanced stage (stage III/IV) breast cancer diagnosis. Among 2189 women, morbidity prevalence was the highest for obesity (35%, country-specific range 15-57%), hypertension (32%, 15-51%) and HIV (16%, 2-26%) then for diabetes (7%, 4%-10%), asthma (4%, 2%-10%), tuberculosis (4%, 0%-8%) and heart disease (3%, 1%-7%). Obesity and hypertension were more common in upper MICs and in higher socioeconomic groups. Overall, 27% of women had at least two preexisting morbidities. Older women were more likely to have obesity (odds ratio: 1.09 per 10 years, 95% CI 1.01-1.18), hypertension (1.98, 1.81-2.17), diabetes (1.51, 1.32-1.74) and heart disease (1.69, 1.37-2.09) and were less likely to be HIV positive (0.64, 0.58-0.71). Multi-morbidity was not associated with stage at diagnosis, with the exception of earlier stage in obese and hypertensive women. Breast cancer patients in higher income countries and higher social groups in SSA face the additional burden of preexisting non-communicable diseases, particularly obesity and hypertension, exacerbated by HIV in Southern/Eastern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin A. Ayeni
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research DivisionWits Health Consortium (PTY) LtdJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
| | - Shane A. Norris
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research DivisionWits Health Consortium (PTY) LtdJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
| | - Maureen Joffe
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research DivisionWits Health Consortium (PTY) LtdJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
| | - Herbert Cubasch
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research DivisionWits Health Consortium (PTY) LtdJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
- Department of Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of WitwatersrandJohannesburgGautengSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Groesbeck Parham
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Charles Adisa
- Department of SurgeryAbia State University Teaching HospitalAbaNigeria
| | - Angelica Anele
- Department of SurgeryFederal Medical CentreOwerriNigeria
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and RadiationInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC/WHO)LyonFrance
| | | | - Milena Foerster
- Section of Environment and RadiationInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC/WHO)LyonFrance
| | - Isabel dos Santos Silva
- Department of Non‐communicable Disease EpidemiologyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Valerie A. McCormack
- Section of Environment and RadiationInternational Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC/WHO)LyonFrance
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Surgical Management of the Axilla in Elderly Women With Node-Positive Breast Cancer. J Surg Res 2020; 254:275-285. [PMID: 32480072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly women with clinically node-positive (cN+) breast cancer (BC) often have comorbidities that limit life expectancy and complicate treatment. We sought to determine whether the number of lymph nodes (LNs) retrieved among older women with node-positive BC was associated with overall survival (OS). METHODS Using the National Cancer Database (2010-2015), women 70-90 y with cN + BC and ≥1 LNs removed were categorized by treatment sequence: upfront surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with restricted cubic splines characterized the functional association of LN retrieval with OS; threshold values of LN retrieval were estimated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association of LN retrieval groups with OS. RESULTS In the upfront surgery cohort, a nonlinear association was identified between LNs retrieved and OS. In the NAC cohort, no association was identified. For the upfront surgery cohort, the optimal threshold value of LN retrieval was 21 LNs (90% confidence interval 18-23). Based on this estimate, LN retrieval groups were created: <6, 6-11, 12-17, 18-23, and >23 LNs. After adjustment, retrieval of <12 LNs in the upfront surgery group was associated with a worse OS. No differences were observed in the NAC group. CONCLUSIONS For elderly women receiving upfront surgery, there is no survival benefit to removing more than 12 LNs, and for those receiving NAC, there is no association between number of LNs removed and survival. In older women who present with cN + BC, aggressive surgery to remove more than 12 LNs may not be necessary.
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Lin J, McGlynn KA, Nations JA, Shriver CD, Zhu K. Comorbidity and stage at diagnosis among lung cancer patients in the US military health system. Cancer Causes Control 2020; 31:255-261. [PMID: 31984449 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-020-01269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the association between comorbidities and stage at diagnosis among NSCLC patients in the US Military Health System (MHS), which provides universal health care to its beneficiaries. METHODS The linked data from the Department of Defense's Central Cancer Registry (CCR) and the MHS Data Repository (MDR) were used. The study included 4768 patients with histologically confirmed primary NSCLC. Comorbid conditions were extracted from the MDR data. Comorbid conditions were those included in the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and were defined as a diagnosis during a 3-year time frame prior to the NSCLC diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of late stage (stages III and IV) versus early stage (stages I and II) in relation to pre-existing comorbidities. RESULTS Compared to patients with no comorbidities, those with prior comorbidities tended to be less likely to have lung cancer diagnosed at late stage. When specific comorbidities were analyzed, decreased odds of being diagnosed at late stage were observed among those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (adjusted OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.90). In contrast, patients with a congestive heart failure or a liver cirrhosis/chronic hepatitis had an increased likelihood of being diagnosed at late stage (adjusted OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.69 and adjusted OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.82, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Among NSCLC patients in an equal access health system, the likelihood of late stage at diagnosis differed by specific comorbid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lin
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
| | - Katherine A McGlynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Joel A Nations
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Craig D Shriver
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Kangmin Zhu
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
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Dima S, Chen KH, Wang KJ, Wang KM, Teng NC. Effect of Comorbidity on Lung Cancer Diagnosis Timing and Mortality: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:1252897. [PMID: 30519567 PMCID: PMC6241217 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1252897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The effect of comorbidity on lung cancer patients' survival has been widely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of comorbidity on the establishment of the diagnosis of lung cancer and survival in lung cancer patients in Taiwan by using a nationwide population-based study design. This study collected various comorbidity patients and analyzed data regarding the lung cancer diagnosis and survival during a 16-year follow-up period (1995-2010). In total, 101,776 lung cancer patients were included, comprising 44,770 with and 57,006 without comorbidity. The Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compare overall survival between lung cancer patients with and without comorbidity. In our cohort, chronic bronchitis patients who developed lung cancer had the lowest overall survival in one (45%), five (28.6%), and ten years (26.2%) since lung cancer diagnosis. Among lung cancer patients with nonpulmonary comorbidities, patients with hypertension had the lowest overall survival in one (47.9%), five (30.5%), and ten (28.2%) years since lung cancer diagnosis. In 2010, patients with and without comorbidity had 14.86 and 9.31 clinical visits, respectively. Lung cancer patients with preexisting comorbidity had higher frequency of physician visits. The presence of comorbid conditions was associated with early diagnosis of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinechimeg Dima
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Huang Chen
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
- Big Data Research Center, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kung-Jeng Wang
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kung-Min Wang
- Department of Surgery, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Shilin District, Taipei 111, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Chia Teng
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan
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Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities Are More Pronounced in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Than Other Breast Cancers. J Cancer Epidemiol 2017; 2017:7574946. [PMID: 28894467 PMCID: PMC5574219 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7574946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare yet aggressive form of breast cancer. We examined differences in patient demographics and outcomes in IBC compared to locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and all other breast cancer patients from the Breast and Prostate Cancer Data Quality and Patterns of Care Study (POC-BP), containing information from cancer registries in seven states. Out of 7,624 cases of invasive carcinoma, IBC and LABC accounted for 2.2% (N = 170) and 4.9% (N = 375), respectively. IBC patients were more likely to have a higher number (P = 0.03) and severity (P = 0.01) of comorbidities than other breast cancer patients. Among IBC patients, a higher percentage of patients with metastatic disease versus nonmetastatic disease were black, on Medicaid, and from areas of higher poverty and more urban areas. Black and Hispanic IBC patients had worse overall and breast cancer-specific survival than white patients; moreover, IBC patients with Medicaid, patients from urban areas, and patients from areas of higher poverty and lower education had worse outcomes. These data highlight the effects of disparities in race and socioeconomic status on the incidence of IBC as well as IBC outcomes. Further work is needed to reveal the causes behind these disparities and methods to improve IBC outcomes.
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Abstract
Answer questions and earn CME/CNE Comorbidity is common among cancer patients and, with an aging population, is becoming more so. Comorbidity potentially affects the development, stage at diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of people with cancer. Despite the intimate relationship between comorbidity and cancer, there is limited consensus on how to record, interpret, or manage comorbidity in the context of cancer, with the result that patients who have comorbidity are less likely to receive treatment with curative intent. Evidence in this area is lacking because of the frequent exclusion of patients with comorbidity from randomized controlled trials. There is evidence that some patients with comorbidity have potentially curative treatment unnecessarily modified, compromising optimal care. Patients with comorbidity have poorer survival, poorer quality of life, and higher health care costs. Strategies to address these issues include improving the evidence base for patients with comorbidity, further development of clinical tools to assist decision making, improved integration and coordination of care, and skill development for clinicians. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:337-350. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sarfati
- Director, Cancer Control and Screening Research Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Bogda Koczwara
- Senior Staff Specialist, Flinders Center for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher Jackson
- Senior Lecturer in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- Consultant Medical Oncologist, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand
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The impact of patient comorbidity on cancer stage at diagnosis. Br J Cancer 2015; 113:1375-80. [PMID: 26461060 PMCID: PMC4815795 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: It is known that cancer stage is affected by comorbidity, but the evidence regarding the magnitude and even direction of this effect is highly inconsistent and poorly understood. The aims of this study were to establish the impact of comorbidity on cancer stage at diagnosis, using both specific individual comorbid conditions and a global measure of comorbidity; and to assess whether this impact varied by cancer site, level of comorbidity burden and individual comorbidity type. Methods: We examined comorbidity among 14 096 patients with breast, colon, rectal, liver, stomach, ovarian, uterine, bladder or kidney cancer. Patients were identified from cancer registry data, and then linked to hospitalisation data to determine the presence of comorbidity in the 5 years preceding cancer diagnosis. Individual comorbid conditions were identified using ICD-10 codes, and overall burden of comorbidity attributed using a cancer-specific measure of comorbidity (C3 Index). Results: We observed that the presence of patient comorbidity (a) increases the odds of being diagnosed with distant metastases, (b) does not lead to earlier diagnosis and (c) increases the likelihood of a patient receiving no stage of disease at diagnosis. Conclusions: Patient comorbidity has a substantial impact on cancer stage at diagnosis; however, this impact varies considerably by cancer type, individual comorbid condition and overall comorbidity burden.
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Talley CH, Williams KP. Impact of Age and Comorbidity on Cervical and Breast Cancer Literacy of African Americans, Latina, and Arab Women. Nurs Clin North Am 2015; 50:545-63. [PMID: 26333609 PMCID: PMC4559754 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between age, comorbidity, and breast and cervical cancer literacy in a sample of African American, Latina, and Arab women (N = 371) from Detroit, Michigan. The Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACC) was used characterize the impact of age and comorbidity on breast and cervical cancer literacy. The relationship between ACC and breast and cervical cancer screening, and group differences, were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference between breast cancer literacy scores. ACC had a greater impact on breast cancer literacy for African Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costellia H Talley
- College of Nursing, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, Room C-247, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Karen Patricia Williams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 965 East Fee Road, Room A626, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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12
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Decision-making and cancer screening: a qualitative study of older adults with multiple chronic conditions. J Geriatr Oncol 2014; 6:93-100. [PMID: 25544380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand how older persons with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) approach decisions about cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted interviews with adults >65 years old with at least two chronic conditions who were taking ≥five medications daily. Patients were first asked how age and multimorbidity influence their cancer screening decisions. After showing them an educational prompt that explained the relationship between life expectancy and the benefits of cancer screening, respondents were then asked about screening in the context of specific health scenarios. Using grounded theory, three independent readers coded responses for salient themes. Sample size was determined by thematic saturation. RESULTS Most respondents (26 of 28) initially indicated that their overall health or medical conditions do not influence their cancer screening decisions. After viewing the educational prompt, respondents described two broad approaches to cancer screening in the setting of increasing age or multi-morbidity. The first was a "benefits versus harms" approach in which participants weighed direct health benefits (e.g. reducing cancer incidence or mortality) and harms (e.g. complications or inconvenience). The second was a heuristic approach. Some heuristics favored screening, such as a persistent belief in unspecified benefits from screening, value of knowledge about cancer status, and not wanting to "give up", whereas other heuristics discouraged screening, such as fatalism or a reluctance to learn about their cancer status. CONCLUSIONS When considering cancer screening, some older persons with MCC employ heuristics which circumvent the traditional quantitative comparison of risks and benefits, providing an important challenge to informed decision making.
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Camacho F, Hwang W, Kern T, Anderson RT. Receipt of Regular Primary Care and Early Cancer Detection in Appalachia. J Rural Health 2014; 31:269-81. [PMID: 25370354 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective was to examine the impact of regular primary care encounters (PCE) on early breast cancer detection in an Appalachian sample of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed 2006-2008. Determinants of PCE were investigated and a mediation analysis was conducted where PCE was a mediator to cancer stage. METHODS A total of 3,589 cases were identified from Appalachian areas in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina, and health care services were examined 2 months to 2 years prior to diagnosis. A regular care PCE variable was constructed with 4 ordinal levels: none, any, "annual," and "semi-annual." Association of PCE with stage, mortality and covariables was conducted using ordinal logistic regressions and Cox Proportional Hazards survival models. RESULTS Sixty-eight percent of the cases had semi-annual PCE. Regular PCE was strongly associated with late-stage cancer rates (39%-13% by increasing PCE level, P < .0001) and 5-year all-cause mortality (42%-24%, P < .0001). Subgroup analysis revealed variations by hypertension and urban status, with nonhypertensives with no PCE being at particularly increased risk. Significant determinants of PCE included age, rural/urban status, comorbidity, dual Medicaid insurance, Appalachian region economic classification, state, select comorbidities, hypertension, and minimum distance to provider. Mediation analysis results were consistent with lower number of comorbidities leading to increased late cancer detection due to patients having a decreased PCE. CONCLUSION PCE is an important determinant of cancer detection, with a dose-response relationship. Variations exist by geography and hypertension. Comorbidity may influence both PCE and late-stage rates with partial mediation through PCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Camacho
- Department of Public Health Science, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Wenke Hwang
- Department of Public Health Science, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Teresa Kern
- Department of Public Health Science, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Roger T Anderson
- Department of Public Health Science, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Tarasenko YN, Fleming ST, Schoenberg NE. The relationship between perceived burden of chronic conditions and colorectal cancer screening among Appalachian residents. J Rural Health 2013; 30:40-9. [PMID: 24383483 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE As the population living with several concurrent chronic conditions or multiple morbidity (MM) increases, understanding how to effectively fit prevention efforts into disease management becomes more important, particularly among rural, underserved populations. Compared to their urban counterparts, rural residents suffer higher rates of disease, receive fewer preventive services, and often live in environments limiting access to optimal medical care. This study describes rural residents' perceived burdens of disease management and explores the relationship between these burdens, as proxies of individuals' competing demands, and colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study, based on telephone survey data from 1,012 Appalachian residents, ages 50-75, with 1 or more chronic conditions. Measures of perceived MM burdens were developed based on 85 pilot interviews previously undertaken with providers and patients with MM residing in Appalachian Kentucky. RESULTS Many participants (81%) agreed with 1 or more statements indicating perceived burdens of disease management effects on receiving CRCS. A higher percentage of rural (vs nonrural) Appalachians perceived burdens related to physician's recommendation, preparation to colonoscopy, and time management and affordability of both current diseases and screening. These differences did not modify the overall association between perceiving MM as burdensome and forgoing CRCS. The negative effect on CRCS of perceived burdens related to interaction with physician and time management was lower for participants with multiple rather than single morbidity. CONCLUSION Future research designed to address perceived burdens of MM and improved interaction with health care providers may enhance critical prevention efforts among vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena N Tarasenko
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
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15
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Braithwaite D, Zhu W, Hubbard RA, O'Meara ES, Miglioretti DL, Geller B, Dittus K, Moore D, Wernli KJ, Mandelblatt J, Kerlikowske K. Screening outcomes in older US women undergoing multiple mammograms in community practice: does interval, age, or comorbidity score affect tumor characteristics or false positive rates? J Natl Cancer Inst 2013; 105:334-41. [PMID: 23385442 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djs645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uncertainty exists about the appropriate use of screening mammography among older women because comorbid illnesses may diminish the benefit of screening. We examined the risk of adverse tumor characteristics and false positive rates according to screening interval, age, and comorbidity. Methods From January 1999 to December 2006, data were collected prospectively on 2993 older women with breast cancer and 137 949 older women without breast cancer who underwent mammography at facilities that participated in a data linkage between the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium and Medicare claims. Women were aged 66 to 89 years at study entry to allow for measurement of 1 year of preexisting illnesses. We used logistic regression analyses to calculate the odds of advanced (IIb, III, IV) stage, large (>20 millimeters) tumors, and 10-year cumulative probability of false-positive mammography by screening frequency (1 vs 2 years), age, and comorbidity score. The comorbidity score was derived using the Klabunde approximation of the Charlson score. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Adverse tumor characteristics did not differ statistically significantly by comorbidity, age, or interval. Cumulative probability of a false-positive mammography result was higher among annual screeners than biennial screeners irrespective of comorbidity: 48.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 46.1% to 49.9%) of annual screeners aged 66 to 74 years had a false-positive result compared with 29.0% (95% CI = 28.1% to 29.9%) of biennial screeners. Conclusion Women aged 66 to 89 years who undergo biennial screening mammography have similar risk of advanced-stage disease and lower cumulative risk of a false-positive recommendation than annual screeners, regardless of comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejana Braithwaite
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, 185 Berry St, Ste 5700, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
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Danese MD, O'Malley C, Lindquist K, Gleeson M, Griffiths RI. An observational study of the prevalence and incidence of comorbid conditions in older women with breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2011; 23:1756-65. [PMID: 22039090 PMCID: PMC3387819 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdr486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Longitudinal analyses of comorbid conditions in women with breast cancer are few. Methods Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare data, we included
51 950 women aged ≥66 years with in situ and stage I to IV
breast cancer diagnosed in 1998–2002. We identified the prevalence and incidence
of 34 comorbid conditions in these women, as well as in a matched cohort without cancer
whose rates were standardized to the age and race/ethnicity distribution of the cancer
patients. We also estimated rates of office encounters and diagnostic or testing
procedures during the 12 months before diagnosis. Results The prevalence of most conditions at diagnosis was comparable among breast cancer and
noncancer patients. New conditions after diagnosis were more common in breast cancer
patients, and the incidence rates increased with higher stage at diagnosis. Before
diagnosis, women presenting with stage IV disease had 41% [95% confidence
interval (CI) 38% to 43%] fewer physician encounters and 34%
(95% CI 24% to 31%) fewer unique diagnostic tests than women
diagnosed with carcinoma in situ. Conclusions Many comorbid conditions are identified as a consequence of the breast cancer
diagnosis. There appears to be an important contribution from a lack of interaction with
the health care system before diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Danese
- Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Outcomes Insights Inc., Westlake Village, USA.
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Developing a claim-based version of the ACE-27 comorbidity index: a comparison with medical record review. Med Care 2011; 49:752-60. [PMID: 21490514 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0b013e318215d7dd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The adult comorbidity evaluation (ACE-27) is a medical record-based comorbidity index that predicts survival among various types of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the medical record-based ACE-27 instrument to a newly developed administrative claim-based ACE-27 measure. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study of 4,300 breast and prostate cancer patients from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Patterns of Care Study. RESULTS Comorbidities with the highest concordance were diabetes (sensitivity=84.6%, κ=0.58 for breast cancer patients; sensitivity=0.764, κ=0.54 for prostate cancer patients), and hypertension (sensitivity=78.5%, κ=0.32 for breast cancer patients; sensitivity=69.6%, κ=0.28 for prostate cancer patients). Diseases with fair or moderate agreement in one or both cancer sites include congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, hypertension, respiratory diseases, hepatic disease, renal disease, dementia, and neuromuscular disease. For overall indices, agreement was fair but with high sensitivities in the collapsed indices, and the highest sensitivities in the lowest level of decompensation. CONCLUSIONS The ACE-27 comorbidity score derived from administrative claims data provides a tool to examine the relationship between comorbidity, cancer diagnosis, and outcomes in future epidemiologic research, particularly when medical record review is logistically impossible. The classification of most comorbidities into 2 or 3 levels of severity within a claim-based measure is a major development. Future research should be directed toward refining the measure with a longer review period or different paradigms for diagnosis identification, and testing the predictive ability of the measure in terms of survival, complications, or other outcomes of care.
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Terret C, Castel-Kremer E, Albrand G, Droz JP. Effects of comorbidity on screening and early diagnosis of cancer in elderly people. Lancet Oncol 2009; 10:80-7. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(08)70336-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Bradley CJ, Clement JP, Lin C. Absence of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Elderly Medicaid-Insured Nursing Home Residents. J Natl Cancer Inst 2008; 100:21-31. [DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djm271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Parsons MA, Askland KD. Determinants of prostate cancer stage in northern New England: USA Franco-American contextual effects. Soc Sci Med 2007; 65:2018-30. [PMID: 17689162 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite screening for prostate cancer, mortality in the United States remains substantial. In northern New England, we know little about either determinants of stage at diagnosis--an important predictor of survival--or health outcomes for Franco-Americans, the region's largest ethnic minority. The objective of this investigation was to identify predictors of late prostate cancer stage in a rural, predominantly white state with a large Franco-American population. The Maine Cancer Registry provided incident cases from 1995 to 1998. We modeled individual-level variables (age, sex, race, French ethnicity by surname, and payer) and contextual/town-level variables (socioeconomic measures, population density, Franco ancestry proportion, distance to health care, and weather severity) with multiple logistic regression for late stage. We found that age categories 50-64, 65-74, and 75-84 years--but not 40-49 years--(versus 85+) were protective for late stage, as was residence in higher snowfall areas. Diagnosis in the earlier years of the study, particularly for French-surnamed men, and residence in a high-Franco area conferred greater risk for late disease. However, in a two-way interaction, residence in towns with high Franco ancestry proportion protected French-surnamed men (OR=0.09, type 3 p<0.0593). Using an established framework for social network theory we explore the potential reasons for this interaction, including: high social cohesion, a wide range of strong ties of long duration, and frequent contact, which might have facilitated access to resources as well as social support and normative influences toward health care seeking. The absence of an association of cancer stage with socioeconomic variables may stem from the mixed sociodemographic profiles in rural and urban regions of Maine. We feel that further research should therefore refine these and other contextual measures to elucidate effects on preventable morbidity and mortality; expand our knowledge of Franco-American health outcomes and social networks; and evaluate the utility of assigning French ethnicity by surname.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A Parsons
- MaineGeneral Medical Center, MaineGeneral Health Associates, 152 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345, USA.
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Bradley CJ, Given CW, Dahman B, Luo Z, Virnig BA. Diagnosis of advanced cancer among elderly Medicare and Medicaid patients. Med Care 2007; 45:410-9. [PMID: 17446827 DOI: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000256970.19359.2a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicaid is implicated in late-stage cancer diagnoses, which is the primary indicator of a poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE We examined Medicaid enrollment and cancer diagnosis in patients ages 66 years and older. Medicaid enrollment was defined as enrolled 12+ months before diagnosis, enrolled <12 months before diagnosis, and enrolled after diagnosis. SUBJECTS Medicaid and Medicare administrative data were merged with the Michigan Tumor Registry to extract a sample of 46,109 patients with a first primary diagnosis of prostate, lung, breast, or colorectal cancer between 1997 and 2000. Measures were: (1) diagnosed during the same month as death; (2) invasive, but unknown stage; and (3) regional or distant stage disease. RESULTS : Patients enrolled in Medicaid <12 months before diagnosis were at greater risk of breast (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.22-5.99) and lung (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.45-3.29) cancer diagnosis in the month of death than Medicare only patients. Similarly, patients with a history of Medicaid enrollment had a high risk of diagnosis with invasive, but unknown breast, lung, and prostate cancer stage. Patients enrolled in Medicaid following diagnosis had a higher risk of late stage colorectal (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.01-1.67), breast (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.60-2.82), and lung (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.02-1.75) cancer relative to Medicare only patients. CONCLUSIONS There is a preponderance of cancer diagnosis at death and cancer diagnosis with invasive but unknown stage in the Medicaid population, but the appropriateness of these diagnoses is unclear. Late-stage cancer tends to precipitate Medicaid enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy J Bradley
- Department of Health Administration and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0203, USA.
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Seve P, Sawyer M, Hanson J, Broussolle C, Dumontet C, Mackey JR. The influence of comorbidities, age, and performance status on the prognosis and treatment of patients with metastatic carcinomas of unknown primary site: a population-based study. Cancer 2006; 106:2058-66. [PMID: 16583433 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The authors investigated how comorbidities, age, and performance status were related to the choice of chemotherapy and to the prognosis of patients with carcinomas of unknown primary site (CUP). METHODS Patients in Northern Alberta who were diagnosed with CUP during 2000 to 2003 were included (n = 389 patients). Survival was compared by age at diagnosis (ages <65 years, 65-74 years, and >75 years), comorbidity score (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 [ACE-27] scores of 0-1 and >2), performance status (PS), and other explanatory variables, such as gender, histology, and site and number of metastases. RESULTS The median age was 68 years, and the median overall survival was 12 weeks. An ACE-27 overall comorbidity score >2 was found in 34% of patients, and a PS >2 was observed in 50% of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who had a PS >/=2 and a high overall ACE-27 score had a worse prognosis. The impact of comorbidities on survival was limited to patients with low PS. Patients who were not evaluated at a cancer center were older, had a worse functional status, and had more moderate or severe comorbidities. Among the 257 patients who were evaluated at a cancer center, 108 patients received chemotherapy, and 121 patients had a good PS (0-1). Age was the only independent variable that was related to the likelihood of not receiving chemotherapy among patients who had a good PS. The median overall survival of the 121 patients who had a good PS was 317 days, and overall survival was not associated significantly with chemotherapy. A logistic regression analysis that included all patients who were evaluated at a cancer center identified young age, good PS, lymph node/pleural involvement, and few comorbidities as variables that were associated independently with receiving chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CUP who were not evaluated at a cancer center were older, had a worse functional status, and had more moderate or severe comorbidities; this referral bias largely explained the differences between data from registries and from tertiary centers. Moderate and severe comorbidities impacted survival in patients with who had a PS > or =2. An age-related decline was observed in the percentage of adults with good PS who received chemotherapy. The current results suggested that older patients with CUP were under treated and that factors other than PS were involved in the decision to use chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with CUP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Seve
- Service de Medecine Interne, Hotel Dieu, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Geraci JM, Escalante CP, Freeman JL, Goodwin JS. Comorbid disease and cancer: the need for more relevant conceptual models in health services research. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:7399-404. [PMID: 16234509 PMCID: PMC1853249 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2004.00.9753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jane M Geraci
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Galveston, TX, USA
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Nagel G, Wedding U, Röhrig B, Katenkamp D. The impact of comorbidity on the survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2005; 130:664-70. [PMID: 15300426 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-004-0594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim was to assess the impact of comorbidity on survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer diagnosis in the period 1995-1997. METHODS The level of comorbidity was described by the methods suggested by Satariano and Charlson. Cox's proportional hazard models were used to explore the impact of comorbidity on all-cause mortality. RESULTS After a median follow-up time of 52 months, an increasing level of comorbidity was associated with a higher all-cause mortality. Compared to patients with-out comorbid conditions, the hazard ration of death (HR) was 1.2 (95% CI: 0.8-1.7) for Satariano index 1 and HR 2.3 (95% CI: 1.5-3.5) for Satariano index >or=2, and HR 1.6 and 2.1 for the Charlson comorbidity index, respectively. Independent of comorbidity, the treatment pattern had a strong impact on survival. The level of comorbidity has an influence on the 3-year survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Long-term follow-up is required to appraise these findings in relation to treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Nagel
- Comprehensive Cancer Center/Field study Breast CAncer, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.
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Fleming ST, Pursley HG, Newman B, Pavlov D, Chen K. Comorbidity as a predictor of stage of illness for patients with breast cancer. Med Care 2005; 43:132-40. [PMID: 15655426 DOI: 10.1097/00005650-200502000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to determine whether comorbidity affects the stage at which breast cancer is diagnosed. METHODS Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) was merged with Medicare claims for 17,468 women diagnosed with breast cancer from 1993 to 1995. RESULTS Women with cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal disease, and nonmalignant benign breast disease had a 13%, 7%, 14%, and 24% lower odds, respectively, of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Women with diabetes, other endocrine disorders, psychiatric disorders, or hematologic disorders increased the odds of a late-stage diagnosis by 19%, 11%, 20%, and 19% respectively. Mammography screening and contact with the medical care system decreased the odds of late-stage diagnosis. DISCUSSION Four hypotheses are suggested to explain this link between comorbid illness and stage at diagnosis: (1) the "surveillance" hypothesis, (2) the "physiological" hypothesis, (3) the "competing demand" hypothesis, and (4) the "death from other causes" hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS Comorbidity may complicate the diagnostic decision-making process for breast cancer. The results suggest that contact with the medical care system improves the odds of early-stage diagnosis. Thus, barriers to access for people with chronic conditions may exacerbate those chronic conditions and increase the odds of late-stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Fleming
- Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-003, USA.
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Kriegsman DMW, Deeg DJH, Stalman WAB. Comorbidity of somatic chronic diseases and decline in physical functioning:; the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. J Clin Epidemiol 2004; 57:55-65. [PMID: 15019011 DOI: 10.1016/s0895-4356(03)00258-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association of decline in physical functioning with number of chronic diseases and with specific comorbidity in different index diseases. METHODS A longitudinal design was employed using data from 2,497 older adults participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine influence of chronic diseases on change in physical functioning, operationalized using the Edwards-Nunnally index. RESULTS Decline in physical functioning was associated with number of chronic diseases (adjusted ORs from 1.58 for 1, to 4.05 for > or =3 diseases). Comorbidity of chronic nonspecific lung disease and malignancies had the strongest exacerbating influence on decline. An exacerbating effect was also found for arthritis in subjects with diabetes or malignancies and for stroke in subjects with chronic nonspecific lung disease or malignancies. A weaker effect than expected was observed for diabetes in subjects with stroke, malignancies, cardiac disease, or peripheral atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION Comorbidities involving chronic diseases that share etiologic factors or pathophysiologic mechanisms appear to have a weaker negative influence on decline in physical functioning than expected. Results indicate that combinations of diseases that both influence physical functioning, but through different mechanisms (locomotor symptoms vs. decreased endurance capacity) may be more detrimental than other combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didi M W Kriegsman
- Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, BT 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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