Comorbid conditions and survival among Black women with ovarian cancer

Black women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have worse survival and a higher burden of comorbid conditions compared with other racial groups. This study examines the association of comorbid conditions and medication use for these conditions with survival among Black women with EOC.

In a prospective study of 592 Black women with EOC, the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) based on self-reported data, three cardiometabolic comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia), and medication use for each cardiometabolic comorbidity were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of comorbid conditions and related medication use with all-cause mortality while adjusting for relevant covariates overall and by histotype (high-grade serous [HGS]/carcinosarcoma vs. non-HGS/carcinosarcoma) and stage (I/II vs. III/IV).

A CCI of ≥2 was observed in 42% of the cohort, and 21%, 67%, and 34% of women had a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, respectively. After adjusting for prognostic factors, a CCI ≥2 (vs. 0; hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.71) and type 2 diabetes (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10-1.84) were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The increased risk of mortality for type 2 diabetes was present specifically among women with HGS/carcinosarcoma (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.10-1.97) and among women with stage III/IV disease (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.10-1.98). The authors did not find evidence that hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or medication use for the cardiometabolic comorbidities meaningfully impacted survival.

Comorbid conditions, especially type 2 diabetes, had a significant adverse impact on survival among Black women with EOC.