Dataset Information

Financial Hardship and Quality of Life among African American and White Cancer Survivors: The Role of Limiting Care Due to Cost.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Financial hardship is common among cancer survivors and is associated with both limiting care due to cost and with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study estimates the association between limiting care due to cost and HRQOL in a diverse population of cancer survivors and tests whether limiting care mediates the association between financial hardship and HRQOL. METHODS:We used data from 988 participants (579 African American, 409 white) in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) pilot, a hospital-based cohort of breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors. We assessed associations between financial hardship, limiting care, and HRQOL [measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G)] using linear regression and mediation analysis controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and cancer-related variables. RESULTS:FACT-G scores were 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0-6.4] points lower among survivors who reported financial hardship compared with those who did not in adjusted models. Limiting care due to cost was associated with a -7.8 (95% CI, -5.1 to -10.5) point difference in FACT-G scores. Limiting care due to cost explained 40.5% (95% CI, 25.5%-92.7%) of the association between financial hardship and HRQOL overall, and 50.5% (95% CI, 29.1%-188.1%) of the association for African American survivors. CONCLUSIONS:Financial hardship and limiting care due to cost are both associated with lower HRQOL among diverse cancer survivors, and this association is partially explained by limiting care due to cost. IMPACT:Actions to ensure patients with cancer can access appropriate care could lessen the impact of financial hardship on HRQOL.

SUBMITTER: Hastert TA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6606374 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Financial Hardship and Quality of Life among African American and White Cancer Survivors: The Role of Limiting Care Due to Cost.

Hastert Theresa A TA Kyko Jaclyn M JM Reed Amanda R AR Harper Felicity W K FWK Beebe-Dimmer Jennifer L JL Baird Tara E TE Schwartz Ann G AG

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology 20190506 7

<h4>Background</h4>Financial hardship is common among cancer survivors and is associated with both limiting care due to cost and with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study estimates the association between limiting care due to cost and HRQOL in a diverse population of cancer survivors and tests whether limiting care mediates the association between financial hardship and HRQOL.<h4>Methods</h4>We used data from 988 participants (579 African American, 409 white) in the Detroit Re ...[more]

PMID: 31061097

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Project description:BackgroundEpidemiological studies of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have predominantly focused on non-Hispanic White patients, despite the observation that African Americans are more likely to experience CIPN. To address this health disparities gap, we sought to identify non-genetic risk factors and comorbidities associated with CIPN in African American cancer survivors using the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors study.MethodsLogistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between presence of self-reported CIPN and relevant clinical characteristics in 1045 chemotherapy-treated African American cancer survivors. Linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors for CIPN and quality of life outcomes that reflect physical, social, emotional, and functional domains of health.ResultsPatients with CIPN were more likely to report hypertension (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.98-1.67, p = 0.07), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.001-1.73, p = 0.05), history of depression (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18-2.25, p = 0.003), and diabetes (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.98-1.82, p = 0.06) after adjustment for age at diagnosis, sex, and cancer site. BMI (OR = 1.02 kg/m2 , 95% CI: 1.006-1.04 kg/m2 , p = 0.008) was also positively associated with CIPN. In addition, CIPN status was significantly associated with quality of life (FACT-G total: β = -8.60, 95% CI: -10.88, -6.32) p < 0.0001) and mood (PROMIS® Anxiety: β = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.92-5.45, p < 0.0001; PROMIS® Depression: β = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.53-3.84, p < 0.0001) after adjustment for age at diagnosis, sex, cancer site, and comorbidities. Neither alcohol consumption (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.68-1.14, p = 0.32) nor tobacco use (ever smoked: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80-1.35, p = 0.76; currently smoke: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.90-1.82, p = 0.18) was associated with increased CIPN risk.ConclusionRisk factor profiles in African Americans are not entirely consistent with those previously reported for non-Hispanic White patients. Neglecting to understand the correlates of common chemotherapy-induced toxicities for this patient population may further contribute to the health disparities these individuals face in receiving adequate healthcare.

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Dataset Information

Financial Hardship and Quality of Life among African American and White Cancer Survivors: The Role of Limiting Care Due to Cost.

Publications

Financial Hardship and Quality of Life among African American and White Cancer Survivors: The Role of Limiting Care Due to Cost.

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