title: Racial disparities in functional disability among older women with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study sought to assess racial differences in functional disability among older women with nonmetastatic breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, between April 2008 and December 2012, women aged ≥ 65 years with newly diagnosed stage I through III breast cancer were recruited from ambulatory oncology clinics at an academic center. Prior to receiving any adjuvant treatment, participants completed a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The primary outcome was functional disability, defined as dependency in any basic or instrumental activity of daily living, categorized as "yes" or "no." Logistic regression analyses were undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study enrolled 190 women whose mean age was 75.0 years at diagnosis (standard deviation = 7.0, range = 65-93 years). Thirty-two percent were African American (AA), and 39% had functional disability. Controlling for age, participants with functional disability were more likely to be AA (versus non-Hispanic white), odds ratio = 4.19, 95% confidence interval = 2.12-8.27. Fifty-nine percent of the racial difference in functional disability was explained by a higher prevalence of lower income and education among AAs. In addition, the higher prevalence of chronic medical conditions and obesity among AAs, after accounting for socioeconomic factors, further explained 40% of the black-white difference in functional disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among older women with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic breast cancer, functional disability is highly prevalent, and AAs are disproportionately affected. Interventions to optimize the functional status of at-risk individuals, particularly AAs, during and after cancer treatment may improve treatment tolerance and overall survival outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owusu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schluchter
authors.forename: Siran M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Koroukian
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazhuvanchery
authors.forename: Nathan A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: breast; cancer; disability; disparity; functional; older; racial; women