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

Abstract

The aim was to assess the impact of comorbidity on survival of postmenopausal women with breast cancer diagnosis in the period 1995-1997. 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. 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 with-out comorbid conditions, the hazard ration 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 >or=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. Long-term follow-up is required to appraise these findings in relation to treatment strategies.