Co-morbidities in a Retrospective Cohort of Prostate Cancer Patients

Objective: To characterize rates of co-morbidity among prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy and to examine the association between co-morbidity status and race, clinical factors, and health behaviors for cancer control. Design/Study Participants: Retrospective cohort study among prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Setting: Academic medical center located in the southeastern region of the United States. Main Outcome Measure: Patients with at least one of five co-morbid conditions considered were categorized as having a co-morbidity, and those without any were categorized as not having a co-morbid condition. Co-morbid conditions considered were hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, stroke, and high cholesterol, which had been recorded in the electronic medical record as part of their past medical history. Results: Fifty-one percent of participants had a co-morbidity, with hypertension being the most common. The average number of co-morbidities among study participants was .87. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, being diagnosed with prostate cancer within the past four years was associated with an increased likelihood of having a co-morbidity (OR=4.71, 95% CI=2.69, 8.25, P=.0001) compared with diagnosis five or more years ago. Age was also associated with an increased likelihood of having a co-morbidity (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.005, 1.68, P=.05). In this study cohort, race, stage at diagnosis, and PSA level were not statistically associated with co-morbidity status. Conclusion: Better chronic disease management is needed among prostate cancer survivors through more effective survivorship care planning and interventions that promote health behaviors.