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Associations of cancer and other chronic medical conditions with SF-6D preference-based scores in Medicare beneficiaries

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Abstract

Purpose

Documenting the impact of different types of cancer on daily functioning and well-being is important for understanding burden relative to other chronic medical conditions. This study examined the impact of 10 different cancers and 13 other chronic medical conditions on health-related quality of life.

Methods

Health-related quality of life data were gathered on the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) between 1998 and 2002. Cancer information was ascertained using the National Cancer Institute’s surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program and linked to MHOS data.

Results

The average SF-6D score was 0.73 (SD = 0.14). Depressive symptoms had the largest unique association with the SF-6D, followed by arthritis of the hip, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, stroke, and sciatica. In addition, the majority of cancer types were significantly associated with the SF-6D score, with significant negative weights ranging from −0.01 to −0.02 on the 0–1 health utility scale. Distant stage of cancer was associated with large decrements in the SF-6D ranging from −0.04 (prostate) to −0.08 (female breast).

Conclusion

A large number of chronic conditions, including cancer, are associated uniquely with decrements in health utility. The cumulative effects of comorbid conditions have substantial impact on daily functioning and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by NCI internal funds. Dr. Hays was also supported in part by grants from NIA (P30AG021684) and the NIMHD (2P20MD000182). The SEER-MHOS linked data set is now in the public domain. More information about the data set is available at http://outcomes.cancer.gov/surveys/seer-mhos/. For questions, technical support is available at SEER-MHOS@azqio.sdps.org.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Ron D. Hays

  2. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Bryce B. Reeve

  3. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Ashley Wilder Smith & Steven B. Clauser

Authors
  1. Ron D. Hays
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  2. Bryce B. Reeve
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  3. Ashley Wilder Smith
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  4. Steven B. Clauser
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Correspondence to Ron D. Hays.

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Hays, R.D., Reeve, B.B., Smith, A.W. et al. Associations of cancer and other chronic medical conditions with SF-6D preference-based scores in Medicare beneficiaries. Qual Life Res 23, 385–391 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0503-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0503-9

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