Epidemiology
British Journal of Cancer (2012) 106, 1860–1865. doi:10.1038/bjc.2012.164 http://www.bjcancer.com/
Published online 1 May 2012
Published online 1 May 2012
Evaluation of prevalent and incident ovarian cancer co-morbidity
- 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
- 2Department of Medicine, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- 3Department of Oncology, Radiology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
- 4Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- 5Research and Development, AstraZeneca, 15185 Södertälje, Sweden
Correspondence: Dr K Stålberg, E-mail: karin.stalberg@kbh.uu.se
Received 22 December 2011; Revised 20 March 2012; Accepted 25 March 2012
Advance online publication 1 May 2012
Advance online publication 1 May 2012
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Abstract
Background:
The peak in incidence of ovarian cancer occurs around 65 years and concurrent increasing risk by age for a number of diseases strongly influence treatment and prognosis. The aim was to explore prevalence and incidence of co-morbidity in ovarian cancer patients compared with the general population.
Methods:
The study population was patients with ovarian cancer in Sweden 1993–2006 (n=11 139) and five controls per case (n=55 687). Co-morbidity from 1987 to 2006 was obtained from the Swedish Patient Register. Prevalent data were analysed with logistic regression and incident data with Cox proportional hazards models.
Results:
Women developing ovarian cancer did not have higher overall morbidity than other women earlier than 3 months preceding cancer diagnosis. However, at time of diagnosis 11 of 13 prevalent diagnosis groups were more common among ovarian cancer patients compared with controls. The incidence of many common diagnoses was increased several years following the ovarian cancer and the most common diagnoses during the follow-up period were thromboembolism, haematologic and gastrointestinal complications.
Conclusion:
Women developing ovarian cancer do not have higher overall morbidity the years preceding cancer diagnosis. The incidence of many common diagnoses was increased several years following the ovarian cancer. It is crucial to consider time between co-morbidity and cancer diagnosis to understand and interpret associations.
