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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press.
ARTICLE |
Functional Limitations in Elderly Female Cancer Survivors
Affiliations of authors: Health Research Center, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT (CS); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN (DL, ARF); Division of Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (KHS); Division of Health Services Research and Policy, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN (BAV); Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (RBW)
Correspondence to: Carol Sweeney, PhD, Health Research Center, DFPM, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (e-mail: csweeney{at}hrc.utah.edu).
Background: The elderly population, including many who are long-term cancer survivors, is increasing. Aspects of quality of life in elderly cancer survivors are not well understood. Methods: Subjects were women who enrolled in a population-based cohort study in 1986. At follow-up in 1997, 25 719 women, at a median age of 72 years, reported on functional limitations. We used logistic regression to calculate prevalence odds ratios (ORs) and proportional hazards regression to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) for associations between cancer survivor status and functional limitations, adjusting for baseline (precancer) characteristics including obesity, smoking, and diabetes. Results: Women who were cancer survivors for less than 2 years reported the most functional limitations, but long-term (5 or more years) cancer survivors remained more likely than cohort members who had not had cancer to report that they were unable to do heavy household work (42% of 1068 5-year survivors, versus 31% of 23 501 who never had cancer, multivariable OR = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27 to 1.69; PR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.34), unable to walk a half mile (26% versus 19%, OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.54; PR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.32), and unable to walk up and down stairs (9% versus 6%, OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.72; PR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.56). The increased prevalence of functional limitations was apparent for 5-year survivors of breast cancer and also certain other cancers. Conclusions: Our findings support the need to target elderly cancer survivors for interventions to maintain or regain physical function.
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