Duration and life-stage of antibiotic use and risk of cardiovascular events in women

Abstract Aims Growing data suggest that antibiotic exposure is associated with a long-lasting alteration in gut microbiota, and may be related to subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated associations of life-stage and duration of antibiotic exposure during adulthood with subsequent CVD events. Methods and results This study included 36 429 women initially free of CVD and cancer from the Nurses’ Health Study. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD (a composite endpoint of coronary heart disease or stroke) according to duration of antibiotic use in young (age 20–39), middle (age 40–59), and late (age 60 and older) adulthood. During an average of 7.6 years of follow-up, 1056 participants developed CVD. Women with long-term use of antibiotics (for ≥2 months) in late adulthood had a significantly increased risk of CVD (HR 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.70) after adjustment for covariates (such as demographic factors, diet and lifestyle, reasons for antibiotic use, overweight or obesity, disease status, and other medication use), as compared to women who did not use antibiotics in this life-stage. Longer duration of antibiotic use in middle adulthood was also related to higher risk of CVD (P trend = 0.003) after controlling for these covariates. There was no significant relationship between the use in young adulthood and the risk of CVD. Conclusion In this study which examined the antibiotic use in different life-stages, longer duration of exposure to antibiotics in the middle and older adulthood was related to an increased risk of future CVD events among elderly women at usual risk.

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671 Update of a systematic review and meta-analysis studying the association between antibiotic use and clinical outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0671 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A708-A708

Author(s):

Pierre-Alain Bandinelli ◽

Julie Cervesi ◽

Clément Le Bescop ◽

Renaud Buffet ◽

Jean De Gunzburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Time Window ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Forest Plot ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

Hazard Ratios

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown to improve patients‘ clinical outcomes in a variety of cancers, but with variable efficacy. Prior research has also suggested that systemic antibiotic (ABX) exposure may impact the intestinal microbiota and result in suboptimal ICI treatment outcomes. Our team published a systematic review and meta-analysis showing that ABX use could indeed decrease the survival of patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and treated with ICIs.1 The present abstract aims at updating this meta-analysis by incorporating new studies that have been published in the period ranging from September 2019 to August 2020.MethodsMedline (through PubMed), the Cochrane Library and major oncology conferences proceedings were systematically searched to identify studies assessing the impact of ABX use on the clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. Studies were found eligible for inclusion when they mentioned a hazard ratio (HR) or Kaplan–Meier curves for overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) based on antibiotic exposure. Pooled HRs for OS and PFS and HRs for OS and PFS according to different time windows for ABX exposure were calculated.Results6 eligible new studies were identified between September 2019 and August 2020 while 3 other studies were updated with new information. Altogether, 27 studies reported data for OS (6,436 patients, 826 of whom coming from new studies) and 24 for PFS (3,751 patients, 786 of whom coming from new studies). The pooled HR was 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–2.23) for OS and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.28–1.92) for PFS, confirming a significantly reduced survival in patients with NSCLC exposed to ABX. The detailed analysis in subgroups based on the time window of exposure (figure 1, figure 2) suggests that the deleterious effect of ABX is stronger when the exposition happens shortly before and after the initiation of the ICI treatment.Abstract 671 Figure 1Forest plot of hazard ratios for overall survival of patients diagnosed with NSCLC and exposed to antibiotics versus not exposed to antibiotics, according to the time window of antibiotic exposureAbstract 671 Figure 2Forest plot of hazard ratios for progression-free survival of patients diagnosed with NSCLC and exposed to antibiotics versus not exposed to antibiotics, according to the time window of antibiotic exposureConclusionsThe update of the meta-analysis confirms the previously reported deleterious effect of ABX on ICI treatment outcomes, taking into account the latest publications in the field. The topic deserves further research to uncover if the effect will stand with 1st line use of ICI together with chemotherapies and/or other approved combinations, elucidate the mechanisms at stake and improve care of patients.ReferencesLurienne L, Cervesi J, Duhalde L, de Gunzburg J, Andremont A, Zalcman G, et al. NSCLC immunotherapy efficacy and antibiotic use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Thorac Oncol 2020;15:1147–1159.

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Ethnicity, household composition and COVID-19 mortality: a national linked data study

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine ◽

10.1177/0141076821999973 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 014107682199997

Author(s):

Vahé Nafilyan ◽

Nazrul Islam ◽

Daniel Ayoubkhani ◽

Clare Gilles ◽

Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Asian ◽

White Women ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Household Composition ◽

Elderly Men ◽

Dependent Children ◽

Registration Data ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk

Objective To estimate the proportion of ethnic inequalities explained by living in a multi-generational household. Design Causal mediation analysis. Setting Retrospective data from the 2011 Census linked to Hospital Episode Statistics (2017-2019) and death registration data (up to 30 November 2020). Participants Adults aged 65 years or over living in private households in England from 2 March 2020 until 30 November 2020 (n=10,078,568). Main outcome measures Hazard ratios were estimated for COVID-19 death for people living in a multi-generational household compared with people living with another older adult, adjusting for geographic factors, socioeconomic characteristics and pre-pandemic health. Results Living in a multi-generational household was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 death. After adjusting for confounding factors, the hazard ratios for living in a multi-generational household with dependent children were 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.30) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.06–1.38) for elderly men and women. The hazard ratios for living in a multi-generational household without dependent children were 1.07 (95% CI 1.01–1.13) for elderly men and 1.17 (95% CI 1.07–1.25) for elderly women. Living in a multi-generational household explained about 11% of the elevated risk of COVID-19 death among elderly women from South Asian background, but very little for South Asian men or people in other ethnic minority groups. Conclusion Elderly adults living with younger people are at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality, and this is a contributing factor to the excess risk experienced by older South Asian women compared to White women. Relevant public health interventions should be directed at communities where such multi-generational households are highly prevalent.

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Headache as a risk factor for dementia: A prospective population-based study

Cephalalgia ◽

10.1177/0333102413513181 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 327-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Knut Hagen ◽

Eystein Stordal ◽

Mattias Linde ◽

Timothy J Steiner ◽

John-Anker Zwart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Subsequent Development ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Study ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk

Background Headache has not been established as a risk factor for dementia. The aim of this study was to determine whether any headache was associated with subsequent development of vascular dementia (VaD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other types of dementia. Methods This prospective population-based cohort study used baseline data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2) performed during 1995–1997 and, from the same Norwegian county, a register of cases diagnosed with dementia during 1997–2010. Participants aged ≥20 years who responded to headache questions in HUNT 2 were categorized (headache free; with any headache; with migraine; with nonmigrainous headache). Hazard ratios (HRs) for later inclusion in the dementia register were estimated using Cox regression analysis. Results Of 51,383 participants providing headache data in HUNT 2, 378 appeared in the dementia register during the follow-up period. Compared to those who were headache free, participants with any headache had increased risk of VaD ( n = 63) (multivariate-adjusted HR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.8, p = 0.002) and of mixed dementia (VaD and AD ( n = 52)) (adjusted HR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.5, p = 0.018). There was no association between any headache and later development of AD ( n = 180). Conclusion In this prospective population-based cohort study, any headache was a risk factor for development of VaD.

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Citrus Consumption and Risk of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2014.57.4111 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (23) ◽

pp. 2500-2508 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Shaowei Wu ◽

Jiali Han ◽

Diane Feskanich ◽

Eunyoung Cho ◽

Meir J. Stampfer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malignant Melanoma ◽

Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Study ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Apparent Association

Purpose Citrus products are widely consumed foods that are rich in psoralens and furocoumarins, a group of naturally occurring chemicals with potential photocarcinogenic properties. We prospectively evaluated the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma associated with citrus consumption. Methods A total of 63,810 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1984 to 2010) and 41,622 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986 to 2010) were included. Dietary information was repeatedly assessed every 2 to 4 years during follow-up. Incident melanoma cases were identified through self-report and confirmed by pathologic records. Results Over 24 to 26 years of follow-up, we documented 1,840 incident melanomas. After adjustment for other risk factors, the pooled multivariable hazard ratios for melanoma were 1.00 for overall citrus consumption < twice per week (reference), 1.10 (95% CI, 0.94 to 1.30) for two to four times per week, 1.26 (95% CI, 1.08 to 1.47) for five to six times per week, 1.27 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.49) for once to 1.5 times per day, and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.63) for ≥ 1.6 times per day (Ptrend < .001). Among individual citrus products, grapefruit showed the most apparent association with risk of melanoma, which was independent of other lifestyle and dietary factors. The pooled multivariable hazard ratio for melanoma comparing the extreme consumption categories of grapefruit (≥ three times per week v never) was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.82; Ptrend < .001). Conclusion Citrus consumption was associated with an increased risk of malignant melanoma in two cohorts of women and men. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to confirm our findings and explore related health implications.

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Diarrhoea and preadmission antibiotic exposure in COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study of 1153 hospitalised patients

BMJ Open Gastroenterology ◽

10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000593 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e000593

Author(s):

Bilal Akhter Mateen ◽

Sandip Samanta ◽

Sebastian Tullie ◽

Sarah O’Neill ◽

Zillah Cargill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Risk ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Prescribing Patterns ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

Test Results ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Hospitalised Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Residual Confounding

ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to describe community antibiotic prescribing patterns in individuals hospitalised with COVID-19, and to determine the association between experiencing diarrhoea, stratified by preadmission exposure to antibiotics, and mortality risk in this cohort.Design/methodsRetrospective study of the index presentations of 1153 adult patients with COVID-19, admitted between 1 March 2020 and 29 June 2020 in a South London NHS Trust. Data on patients’ medical history (presence of diarrhoea, antibiotic use in the previous 14 days, comorbidities); demographics (age, ethnicity, and body mass index); and blood test results were extracted. Time to event modelling was used to determine the risk of mortality for patients with diarrhoea and/or exposure to antibiotics.Results19.2% of the cohort reported diarrhoea on presentation; these patients tended to be younger, and were less likely to have recent exposure to antibiotics (unadjusted OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.97). 19.1% of the cohort had a course of antibiotics in the 2 weeks preceding admission; this was associated with dementia (unadjusted OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.49). After adjusting for confounders, neither diarrhoea nor recent antibiotic exposure was associated with increased mortality risk. However, the absence of diarrhoea in the presence of recent antibiotic exposure was associated with a 30% increased risk of mortality.ConclusionCommunity antibiotic use in patients with COVID-19, prior to hospitalisation, is relatively common, and absence of diarrhoea in antibiotic-exposed patients may be associated with increased risk of mortality. However, it is unclear whether this represents a causal physiological relationship or residual confounding.

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Visual acuity and risk of overall, injury-related, and cardiovascular mortality: the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab025 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

So Young Han ◽

Yoosoo Chang ◽

Hocheol Shin ◽

Chul Young Choi ◽

Seungho Ryu

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Cardiovascular Mortality ◽

Health Study ◽

Normal Vision ◽

Vital Status ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Aims The associations of visual impairment (VI) with cardio-metabolic risk factors have been reported but its association with cardiovascular mortality remains uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the association of visual acuity (VA) with overall, injury-related, and cardiovascular mortality. Methods and results A cohort study was performed in 580 746 Korean adults (average age, 39.7 years) who were followed for a median of 8.1 years (maximum, 16 years). Presenting VA was measured by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Visual acuity in the better vision eye was categorized as normal vision (≥0.8), lowered vision (0.5–0.8), mild visual impairment (VI) (0.3–0.5), or moderate to severe VI (<0.3). Vital status and cause of death were ascertained through linkage to national death records. During 4 632 892.2 person-years of follow-up, 6585 overall deaths, 974 cardiovascular deaths, and 1163 injury-related deaths were identified. After adjustment for possible confounders, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall mortality among participants with lowered vision, minimal VI, and moderate to severe VI were 1.21 (1.13–1.29), 1.26 (1.15–1.37), and 1.54 (1.40–1.68), respectively, compared with those with normal vision. The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for injury-related mortality were 1.12 (0.96–1.32), 0.98 (0.76–1.26), and 1.36 (1.04–1.79), respectively, and the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for cardiovascular mortality were 1.32 (1.12–1.57), 1.43 (1.15–1.77), and 2.41 (1.94–2.99). Conclusion In this large cohort of young and middle-aged individuals, VI was associated with increased risk of mortality especially due to cardiovascular disease.

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Abstract P252: Duration and Life-stage of Antibiotic Use and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.135.suppl_1.p252 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Yoriko Heianza ◽

Yan Zheng ◽

Wenjie Ma ◽

Tiange Wang ◽

Dianjianyi Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Life Stage ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Antibiotics Use ◽

History Of ◽

Traditional Risk Factors ◽

Tract Infections

Background and Aims: Growing data suggest that antibiotic use, which may alter the gut microbiome, is related to risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. However, evidence from prospective cohort studies is still scarce; and no large prospective study has investigated associations between cumulative antibiotic use during adulthood and risk of CVD. We aimed to examine duration of antibiotic use and risk of CVD among apparently healthy women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). Methods: This study included 36,922 women without history of myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris, stroke, or cancer in the NHS and with available data on total days of antibiotics use per year (0 to <15 days, 15 days to <2 months, or 2 months or more) during ages 20-39, 40-59 and after age 60, as reported on the 2004 questionnaire. Incidence of CVD (MI or stroke) over 8 years was assessed. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated as categories of duration of use compared with the none to <15 days per year group, using multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model including traditional risk factors (such as demographic variables, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, physical activity, Alternative Healthy Eating Index score, body mass index, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory medication), and reasons for antibiotics use (respiratory infection, urinary tract infections, acne or rosacea, chronic bronchitis, or dental), as well as other medications (such as H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors), and other diseases (such as lung or kidney disease). Results: As compared to women with “none to <15 days per year of use” during age 40-59 y, those with a history of antibiotics use “15 days to < 2 months” or “2 months or more” had a significantly increased risk of CVD with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR [95%CI])_ of 1.19 (1.03, 1.38) and 1.34 (1.08, 1.66), respectively. Reported use of antibiotics for 2 months or more per year after age 60 was also associated with a HR of 1.24 (1.02, 1.51) for CVD. A longer exposure of antibiotics use was more strongly associated with increased risk of stroke than MI Antibiotic use during young adulthood (age 20-39) was not significantly associated with elevated risk of CVD. Conclusions: Our results suggest greater duration of exposure to antibiotics in middle- and older adulthood may be related to an increased risk of future CVD, independent of traditional risk factors.

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Risk of acute kidney injury following community prescription of antibiotics: self-controlled case series

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfy187 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (11) ◽

pp. 1910-1916 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Trijntje J W Rennie ◽

Nicosha De Souza ◽

Peter T Donnan ◽

Charis A Marwick ◽

Peter Davey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Case Series ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

Combined Use ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Rate Ratios ◽

Stage 1

Abstract Background Development of acute kidney injury (AKI) following the use of antibiotics such as sulphonamides, trimethoprim and aminoglycosides is a frequently described phenomenon. More recently, an association between fluoroquinolone use and AKI has been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of AKI as an unintended consequence of commonly prescribed antibiotics in a large community cohort using a method that fully adjusts for underlying patient characteristics, including potential unmeasured confounders. Methods A self-controlled case study was conducted and included all individuals aged 18 years and over in the Tayside region of Scotland who had a serum creatinine measured between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2012. AKI episodes were defined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes definition. Data on oral community-prescribed antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamides and trimethoprim, macrolides and nitrofurantoin) were collected for all individuals. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for AKI associated with antibiotic exposure versus time periods without antibiotic exposure were calculated. Results Combined use of sulphonamides, trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin rose by 47% and incidence of community-acquired AKI rose by 16% between 2008 and 2012. During the study period 12 777 individuals developed 14 900 episodes of AKI in the community, of which 68% was AKI Stage 1, 16% Stage 2 and 16% Stage 3. The IRR of AKI during any antibiotic use was 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10—1.23], and this was highest during sulphonamides or trimethoprim use; IRR 3.07 (95% CI 2.81–3.35). Fluoroquinolone and nitrofurantoin use was not associated with a significantly increased rate of AKI; IRR 1.13 (95% CI 0.94–1.35) and 1.16 (95% CI 0.91–1.50), respectively. Conclusions Incidence of AKI rose by 16% between 2008 and 2012. In the same period the use of sulphonamides, trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin increased by 47%. A significant increased risk of AKI was seen with the use of sulphonamides and trimethoprim, but not with fluoroquinolones or nitrofurantoin.

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Association of flavonoid-rich foods and flavonoids with risk of all-cause mortality

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114517001325 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 117 (10) ◽

pp. 1470-1477 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Kerry L. Ivey ◽

Majken K. Jensen ◽

Jonathan M. Hodgson ◽

A. Heather Eliassen ◽

Aedín Cassidy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Red Wine ◽

Vascular Diseases ◽

Health Study ◽

Dietary Recommendations ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Flavonoid Intake ◽

Reduced Risk

AbstractFlavonoids are bioactive compounds found in foods such as tea, red wine, fruits and vegetables. Higher intakes of specific flavonoids, and flavonoid-rich foods, have been linked to reduced mortality from specific vascular diseases and cancers. However, the importance of flavonoid-rich foods, and flavonoids, in preventing all-cause mortality remains uncertain. As such, we examined the association of intake of flavonoid-rich foods and flavonoids with subsequent mortality among 93 145 young and middle-aged women in the Nurses’ Health Study II. During 1 838 946 person-years of follow-up, 1808 participants died. When compared with non-consumers, frequent consumers of red wine, tea, peppers, blueberries and strawberries were at reduced risk of all-cause mortality (P<0·05), with the strongest associations observed for red wine and tea; multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios 0·60 (95 % CI 0·49, 0·74) and 0·73 (95 % CI 0·65, 0·83), respectively. Conversely, frequent grapefruit consumers were at increased risk of all-cause mortality, compared with their non-grapefruit consuming counterparts (P<0·05). When compared with those in the lowest consumption quintile, participants in the highest quintile of total-flavonoid intake were at reduced risk of all-cause mortality in the age-adjusted model; 0·81 (95 % CI 0·71, 0·93). However, this association was attenuated following multivariable adjustment; 0·92 (95 % CI 0·80, 1·06). Similar results were observed for consumption of flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins. Flavonols, flavanones and flavones were not associated with all-cause mortality in any model. Despite null associations at the compound level and select foods, higher consumption of red wine, tea, peppers, blueberries and strawberries, was associated with reduced risk of total and cause-specific mortality. These findings support the rationale for making food-based dietary recommendations.

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Functional Impact of Breast Cancer by Age at Diagnosis

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2004.04.173 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

pp. 1849-1856 ◽

Cited By ~ 173

Author(s):

Candyce H. Kroenke ◽

Bernard Rosner ◽

Wendy Y. Chen ◽

Ichiro Kawachi ◽

Graham A. Colditz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Short Form ◽

Life Stage ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Age At Diagnosis ◽

Health Study ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Elderly Age ◽

Age Related

Purpose To explore changes in physical and psychosocial function before and after breast cancer by age at diagnosis. Patients and Methods A total of 122,969 women from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHS 2, ages 29 to 71 years, who responded to pre- and postfunctional status assessments were included; 1,082 women were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 1997. Functional status was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Mean change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores was computed across categories representing the combination of incident breast cancer (yes or no) and age at diagnosis (≤ 40, 41 to 64, or 65+ years). Results Compared with women ≤ 40 years without breast cancer, women with breast cancer experienced significant functional declines. Young (age ≤ 40) women who developed breast cancer experienced the largest relative declines in HRQoL (as compared with middle-aged and elderly women) in multiple domains including physical roles (−18.8 v −11.5 and −7.5 points, respectively), bodily pain (−9.0 v −2.7 and −2.7 points), social functioning (−11.3 v −4.3 and −4.4 points) and mental health (−3.1 v 0.0 and +0.4 points). Much of the decline in HRQoL among elderly (age ≥ 65) women with breast cancer was age related. Conclusion Young women may fare worse than middle-aged or elderly women in both physical and psychosocial dimensions after breast cancer diagnosis. The needs of women facing breast cancer may be better understood within a life stage framework.

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