Affiliation:
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 07061, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras al Khaimah 6365, United Arab Emirates
3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul 07985, Republic of Korea
4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Objective: With advancements in treatment, the increasing number of women with breast cancer has led to a growing focus on enhancing their well-being by understanding health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to investigate the association between comorbidities and HRQoL in middle-aged and older community-dwelling Korean women with breast cancer. Methods: Data from the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys between 2014 and 2020 were used to analyze 12,218 women aged ≥50 years (244 women with breast cancer vs. 11,974 women without breast cancer). HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L tool and the EQ-5D index. Associations between comorbidities (arthritis, depression, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) and HRQoL were examined. Results: Among women with breast cancer, arthritis was associated with problems in mobility (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.39–7.53) and pain/discomfort (OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 3.62–14.73). Depression was associated with problems in self-care (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 1.97–25.01), usual activities (OR, 5.73; 95% CI, 1.52–21.59), pain/discomfort (OR, 5.58; 95% CI, 1.49–20.87), and anxiety/depression (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.14–12.72). Arthritis and depression were also considerably associated with overall HRQoL, as measured by the EQ-5D index. Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease were not independently associated with HRQoL. Conclusions: Arthritis and depression were markedly associated with HRQoL in middle-aged and older women in the community who suffer from breast cancer. Public health interventions that focus on managing these comorbidities can enhance the well-being of women with breast cancer.
Funder
National Research Foundation of Korea
Reference51 articles.
1. Cancer Statistics, 2024;Siegel;CA Cancer J. Clin.,2024
2. Breast Cancer Statistics, 2022;Giaquinto;CA Cancer J. Clin.,2022
3. Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Studies;Heidary;Cancer Control,2023
4. Knowledge, Ignorance and Priorities for Research in Key Areas of Cancer Survivorship: Findings from a Scoping Review;Richardson;Br. J. Cancer,2011
5. Health-Related Quality of Life as Prognostic Factor for Response, Progression-Free Survival, and Survival in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer;Svensson;Med. Oncol.,2012