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

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 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. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up is required to appraise these findings in relation to treatment strategies.