Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results: Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05-3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90-6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19-4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82-12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions: Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods. A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results. Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05–3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90–6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19–4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82–12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions. Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y evaluar la asociación entre varias comorbilidades y la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con 233 mujeres de 21 años o más con diagnóstico de cáncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefónicas se evaluó la información sobre comorbilidades, calidad de vida y otras covariantes; para la calidad de vida, se evaluaron seis elementos relativos a la salud física y mental. Se emplearon modelos de regresión logística con múltiples variables para estimar la magnitud de la asociación entre las comorbilidades objeto de estudio (la diabetes, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades autoinmunitarias) y los elementos relativos a la calidad de vida, mediante una razón de posibilidades de prevalencia ajustada (RPPa; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95 %). Resultados. La mayoría de las mujeres (90,1 %) notificaron una o más comorbilidades además del diagnóstico de cáncer; las enfermedades cardiovasculares (63,1 %) fueron más comunes que las enfermedades autoinmunitarias (37,3 %) y la diabetes (33,9 %). Entre 30 % y 40 % de la muestra refirió disfunciones generales de salud (39,5 %) y malestar físico (33,9 %) y mental (31,8 %) frecuente. Luego de ajustar por edad e ingresos brutos familiares, las mujeres con enfermedades autoinmunitarias presentaron una mayor prevalencia de limitaciones frecuentes en las actividades cotidianas (RPPa 2,00; IC de 95 % 1,05-3,81), mala salud general (RPPa 3,52; IC de 95 % 1,90-6,49), angustia frecuente (RPPa 2,19; IC de 95 % 1,19-4,03) e insatisfacción vital (RPPa 4,86; IC de 95 % 1,82-12,95), en comparación con las mujeres que no refirieron ninguna enfermedad autoinmunitaria. No se observó ninguna asociación con enfermedades cardiovasculares o la diabetes. Conclusiones. Las disfunciones relativas a la calidad de vida tuvieron una alta prevalencia en esta población de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico. Sufrir comorbilidades autoinmunitarias agravó significativamente estas disfunciones.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever a prevalência de doenças crônicas e avaliar as associações entre comorbidades e qualidade de vida em pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico. Métodos. Estudo transversal de 233 mulheres com idade ≥21 anos, com diagnóstico de câncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefônicas, foram avaliadas informações sobre comorbidades, qualidade de vida e outras covariáveis. A avaliação da qualidade de vida incluiu seis itens, abrangendo saúde física e mental. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística multivariada para estimar a magnitude da associação entre as comorbidades avaliadas (diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares e autoimunes) e os itens de qualidade de vida, por meio da razão de chances de prevalência ajustada (aPOR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. A maioria das mulheres (90,1%) relatou uma ou mais comorbidades além de seu diagnóstico de câncer; as doenças cardiovasculares (63,1%) foram mais comuns que as doenças autoimunes (37,3%) e diabetes (33,9%). Entre 30% e 40% das entrevistadas relataram problemas de saúde geral (39,5%) e frequentes problemas físicos (33,9%) e mentais (31,8%). Após ajuste para idade e renda familiar bruta, as mulheres com doenças autoimunes apresentaram maior prevalência de limitação frequente das atividades da vida diária (aPOR 2,00; IC 95% 1,05-3,81), saúde geral precária (aPOR 3,52; IC 95% 1,90-6,49), angústia mental frequente (aPOR 2,19; IC 95% 1,19-4,03) e insatisfação com a vida (aPOR 4,86; IC 95% 1,82-12,95), em comparação àquelas que não relataram doenças autoimunes. Não foram observadas associações com doenças cardiovasculares ou diabetes. Conclusões. Foi constatada uma prevalência elevada de disfunções de qualidade de vida nesta população de pacientes com câncer ginecológico. Sofrer de comorbidades autoimunes exacerbou significativamente essas disfunções.

Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico / Efecto de las comorbilidades crónicas sobre la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico / Efeito das comorbidades crônicas na qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods. A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results. Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05-3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90-6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19-4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82-12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions. Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y evaluar la asociación entre varias comorbilidades y la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con 233 mujeres de 21 años o más con diagnóstico de cáncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefónicas se evaluó la información sobre comorbilidades, calidad de vida y otras covariantes; para la calidad de vida, se evaluaron seis elementos relativos a la salud física y mental. Se emplearon modelos de regresión logística con múltiples variables para estimar la magnitud de la asociación entre las comorbilidades objeto de estudio (la diabetes, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades autoinmunitarias) y los elementos relativos a la calidad de vida, mediante una razón de posibilidades de prevalencia ajustada (RPPa; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95 %). Resultados. La mayoría de las mujeres (90,1 %) notificaron una o más comorbilidades además del diagnóstico de cáncer; las enfermedades cardiovasculares (63,1 %) fueron más comunes que las enfermedades autoinmunitarias (37,3 %) y la diabetes (33,9 %). Entre 30 % y 40 % de la muestra refirió disfunciones generales de salud (39,5 %) y malestar físico (33,9 %) y mental (31,8 %) frecuente. Luego de ajustar por edad e ingresos brutos familiares, las mujeres con enfermedades autoinmunitarias presentaron una mayor prevalencia de limitaciones frecuentes en las actividades cotidianas (RPPa 2,00; IC de 95 % 1,05-3,81), mala salud general (RPPa 3,52; IC de 95 % 1,90-6,49), angustia frecuente (RPPa 2,19; IC de 95 % 1,19-4,03) e insatisfacción vital (RPPa 4,86; IC de 95 % 1,82-12,95), en comparación con las mujeres que no refirieron ninguna enfermedad autoinmunitaria. No se observó ninguna asociación con enfermedades cardiovasculares o la diabetes. Conclusiones. Las disfunciones relativas a la calidad de vida tuvieron una alta prevalencia en esta población de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico. Sufrir comorbilidades autoinmunitarias agravó significativamente estas disfunciones.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever a prevalência de doenças crônicas e avaliar as associações entre comorbidades e qualidade de vida em pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico. Métodos. Estudo transversal de 233 mulheres com idade ≥21 anos, com diagnóstico de câncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefônicas, foram avaliadas informações sobre comorbidades, qualidade de vida e outras covariáveis. A avaliação da qualidade de vida incluiu seis itens, abrangendo saúde física e mental. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística multivariada para estimar a magnitude da associação entre as comorbidades avaliadas (diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares e autoimunes) e os itens de qualidade de vida, por meio da razão de chances de prevalência ajustada (aPOR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. A maioria das mulheres (90,1%) relatou uma ou mais comorbidades além de seu diagnóstico de câncer; as doenças cardiovasculares (63,1%) foram mais comuns que as doenças autoimunes (37,3%) e diabetes (33,9%). Entre 30% e 40% das entrevistadas relataram problemas de saúde geral (39,5%) e frequentes problemas físicos (33,9%) e mentais (31,8%). Após ajuste para idade e renda familiar bruta, as mulheres com doenças autoimunes apresentaram maior prevalência de limitação frequente das atividades da vida diária (aPOR 2,00; IC 95% 1,05-3,81), saúde geral precária (aPOR 3,52; IC 95% 1,90-6,49), angústia mental frequente (aPOR 2,19; IC 95% 1,19-4,03) e insatisfação com a vida (aPOR 4,86; IC 95% 1,82-12,95), em comparação àquelas que não relataram doenças autoimunes. Não foram observadas associações com doenças cardiovasculares ou diabetes. Conclusões. Foi constatada uma prevalência elevada de disfunções de qualidade de vida nesta população de pacientes com câncer ginecológico. Sofrer de comorbidades autoimunes exacerbou significativamente essas disfunções.

Environmental Stressors Suffered by Women with Gynecological Cancers in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: Hurricanes are the immediate ways that people experience climate impacts in the Caribbean. These events affect socio-ecological systems and lead to major disruptions in the healthcare system, having effects on health outcomes. In September 2017, Puerto Rico (PR) and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) experienced one of the most catastrophic hurricane seasons in recent history (Hurricane Irma was a Category 5 and Hurricane María was a Category 4 when they hit PR). OBJECTIVE: This study examines environmental stressors experienced by women with gynecologic (GYN) cancers from PR and USVI who received oncologic cancer care in PR, in the aftermath of the hurricanes. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study design was used to obtain rich information for understanding the context, barriers, knowledge, perspectives, risks, vulnerabilities, and attitudes associated to these hurricanes. We performed focus groups among GYN cancer patients (n = 24) and key-informant interviews (n = 21) among health-care providers and administrators. Interviews were conducted from December 2018-April 2019. RESULTS: Environmental health stressors such as lack of water, heat and uncomfortable temperatures, air pollution (air quality), noise pollution, mosquitos, and rats ranked in the top concerns among cancer patients and key-informants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are relevant to cancer patients, decision-makers, and health providers facing extreme events and disasters in the Caribbean. Identifying environmental secondary stressors and the most relevant cascading effects is useful for decision-makers so that they may address and mitigate the effects of hurricanes on public health and cancer care.

Influence of Health Beliefs on COVID-19 Vaccination among Individuals with Cancer and Other Comorbidities in Puerto Rico.

Ethnic minority populations are more likely to suffer from chronic comorbidities, making them more susceptible to the poor health outcomes associated with COVID-19 infection. Therefore, ensuring COVID-19 vaccination among vulnerable populations is of utmost importance. We aimed to investigate health behaviors and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination among adults self-reporting diagnosis of cancer and of other chronic comorbidities in Puerto Rico (PR). This secondary analysis used data from 1911 participants who completed an online survey from December 2020 to February 2021. The Health Belief Model was used to measure perceptions surrounding COVID-19 vaccination among individuals self-reporting diagnosis of cancer and of other chronic comorbidities, and healthy adults. Among study participants, 76% were female, 34% were 50 years or older, 5% self-reported cancer diagnosis, and 70% had other chronic comorbidities. Participants self-reporting a cancer diagnosis had two times higher odds of getting vaccinated than healthy individuals (95% CI: 1.00-4.30). Compared to healthy participants, those self-reporting being diagnosed with cancer and those with chronic conditions other than cancer had significantly higher perceived COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Our findings elucidate the effect of disease status on health-related decision-making and highlights information needed to be included in education campaigns to increase vaccine uptake among ethnic minority populations.

Pre-vaccination prevalence of anogenital and oral human papillomavirus in young HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

The aims of this study were to: 1) determine prevalence of anogenital and oral HPV, 2) determine concordance between HPV at anal, perianal, scrotal/penile, and oral sites; and 3) describe factors associated with anogenital HPV types targeted by the 9-valent vaccine. Data were collected from 2012 to 2015 among men who have sex with men 18-26 years of age enrolled in a vaccine trial (N = 145). Penile/scrotal, perianal, anal, and oral samples were tested for 61 HPV types. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with types in the 9-valent vaccine. Participants' mean age was 23.0 years, 55.2% were African-American, and 26.2% were Hispanic; 93% had anal, 40% penile, and 6% oral HPV. Among those with anogenital infection, 18% had HPV16. Concordance was low between anogenital and oral sites. Factors independently associated with a 9-valent vaccine-type HPV were: race (African-American vs. White, OR=2.67, 95% CI=1.11-6.42), current smoking (yes vs. no, OR=2.37, 95% CI=1.03-5.48), and number of recent receptive anal sex partners (2+ vs. 0, OR=3.47, 95% CI=1.16-10.4). Most MSM were not infected with HPV16 or HPV18, suggesting that they may still benefit from HPV vaccination, but anogenital HPV was very common, highlighting the importance of vaccinating men before sexual initiation. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT01209325.

Association Between the Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype, Prediabetes, and Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults in Puerto Rico.

This study assessed the association of the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype with prediabetes and diabetes (DM) in a group of Hispanics. Analysis of a cross-sectional study of 858 adults residing in Puerto Rico that collected data on blood pressure, biochemical, and anthropometric measurements was performed. HTGW phenotype was defined as elevated triglycerides and elevated waist circumference. Prediabetes was defined as a fasting glucose of 100-125 mg/dL and DM as a fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL or prior diagnosis. Prevalence of HTGW, prediabetes, and DM was 27.9, 38.0, and 21.6 %, respectively. Subjects with the HTGW phenotype had higher adjusted odds of prediabetes (POR 5.55; 95 % CI 3.38-9.13) and DM (POR 7.28; 95 % CI 3.63-14.63) compared to those without the phenotype. The association for prediabetes was stronger for women than among men. HTGW phenotype was strongly associated with prediabetes and DM, reinforcing the need to further assess its performance as a screening tool to identify at-risk individuals for cardiometabolic conditions.