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The impact of comorbidity on the survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer

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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 without comorbid conditions, the hazard ratio 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 ≥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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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the German Ministry of Health (FB2–43332–70/1). We are grateful to our documentation team and give thanks to S. Berg, I. Köhler, B. Osten and K. Polte.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Cancer Center/Field study Breast Cancer, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany

    G. Nagel & D. Katenkamp

  2. Clinic Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Disease, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany

    U. Wedding

  3. Institute for Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences and Documentation, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany

    H. Hoyer & B. Röhrig

  4. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    G. Nagel

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  1. G. Nagel
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  2. U. Wedding
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  3. H. Hoyer
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  5. D. Katenkamp
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Correspondence to G. Nagel.

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Nagel, G., Wedding, U., Hoyer, H. et al. The impact of comorbidity on the survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 130, 664–670 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-004-0594-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-004-0594-3

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