¹Department of Pharmaceutics, PSG College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R.Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
²Department of Pharmacy Practice, PSG College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R.Medical University Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
³Department Oncology, PSG Hospitals, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu India DOI : 10.12991/jrp.2019.138 Many studies report the presence of comorbidities, which have a consequential impact on the management and survival of cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of comorbidities and their influence on overall management, estimated survival, and performance of cancer patients. A hospital based prospective study was conducted at a multi-specialty teaching hospital for a period of 10 months. Out of a sample of 140 cancer patients, 70 were diagnosed with comorbidities. Estimated survival rates and comorbidity scores were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Performance scores were observed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score. CCI and performance score were statistically analyzed by SPSS Version 19. Hypertension (40%) was the leading comorbidity, followed by diabetes (25.71%). Those women with high (>5) CCI score (57.14%, p=0.04) had significantly decreased estimated survival rates of less than or equal to 2 months compared to those having less than (<) 2 CCI score and who reached estimated survival rates of more than or equal to 7 months. The performance score (2.065±0.81) was significantly (P=0.0001) increased after treatment of the comorbidity compared to the performance score (1.125±1.27) of patients without comorbidity. Only alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide p=0.003, Carboplatin & Oxaliplatin p= 0.007, Cisplatin p= 0.0001), and folic acid analogues (Leucovorin p=0.01) showed significant differences in the management of cancer between groups. This study suggests that breast cancer is associated with increased comorbidity burden compared to other types of cancer. Also, comorbidity is associated with overall decreased estimated survival rate and performance status among cancer patients. Keywords : Cancer; comorbidity; estimated survival rate; treatment pattern; performance status; CCI; ECOG