An observational study of the prevalence and incidence of comorbid conditions in older women with breast cancer.

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

SUBMITTER: Danese MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3387819 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature