RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND AGE-RELATED DISPARITIES IN COMORBID CANCER AND DEMENTIA. (20th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schiaffino, Melody; Murphy, James; Nalawade, Vinit; Schumacher, Jessica; Dale, William; Moore, Alison
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 6(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igac059.1040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Older adults make up over 60% of new cancer cases and will be 73% of survivors by 2040. Dementia, which is cognitive impairments that includes Alzheimer's, affects 10.3% of this age group with a greater burden on Black and Latino/a older adults. It is essential to accurately characterize the prevalence of comorbid dementia and cancer (ADRD+Ca) to ensure guideline concordant care. The goal of our study was to characterize pre-existing ADRD+Ca across cancer sites (cervical, breast, prostate, colorectal, head and neck, and lung). Using a validated CMS algorithm, we found 5.6% ADRD+Ca in our sample. Female patients were more likely to report ADRD+CA vs men (62.5% vs 37.5%, p<0.0001); similarly, age differences were observed with the biggest difference among 85+ ages 33.8% vs 11.7% respectively. The proportion of Black patients with ADRD+Ca was nearly double compared to Ca only groups. Patients with additional multiple comorbidities, unstaged site, and single/other marital status were also more likely to report ADRD+Cancer (p<0.0001). Among cancer sites, we observed the highest prevalence in colorectal and cervical cancer both over 8%, the lowest was in prostate cancer (2.64%). Our findings show inequities in social factors and cancer subtypes among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries that warrants investigation.