Comorbidity in disease-free survivors of cervical cancer compared with the general female population.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities in cervical cancer survivors compared with the general population and to identify risk factors and impact on their quality of life (QoL).


METHODS
860 female cervical cancer survivors enrolled at six tertiary hospitals and 994 women from the general population were surveyed on current comorbidities and QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24).


RESULTS
Compared with the general female population, the cervical cancer survivors reported higher prevalence of comorbidities (0.93 +/- 2.91 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.67, p < 0.01), significantly more heart disease (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38-5.07), liver disease (aOR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.54-7.02), hypertension (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.30-2.27), gastrointestinal disease (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.37-2.33) and musculoskeletal disease (aOR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.45-2.59). Heart and renal disease significantly influenced QoL in many subscales. Patients with diabetes or cerebrovascular disease had an increased likelihood of sexual problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The cervical cancer survivors had more comorbidities than the general population, and that in turn affected their QoL. Vigilant follow-up of comorbidities should be incorporated into in the care of cancer survivors.
Shin
Dong Wook
DW
National Cancer Control Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Nam
Joo Hyun
JH
Kwon
Yong Chul
YC
Park
Sang Yoon
SY
Bae
Duk-Soo
DS
Park
Chong Taik
CT
Cho
Chi-Heum
CH
Lee
Jong Min
JM
Park
Sang Min
SM
Yun
Young Ho
YH
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy