Prevalence and health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with comorbid cancer and dementia: a longitudinal analysis

Objectives: To examine health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with: dementia only, cancer only, and comorbid cancer and dementia.

Methods: Longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from 2010 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Health outcomes included mortality, limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), nursing home utilization, hospital stay, homecare use, self-rated health, and out-of-pocket medical expenditure. Panel regression was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The prevalence of comorbid cancer and dementia ranged from 2.56% to 2.97%. Individuals with comorbid cancer and dementia demonstrated a higher likelihood of nursing home utilization and poorer self-rated health but a lower likelihood of hospital stay, homecare use, and out-of-pocket expenditures, compared to the cancer only or dementia only groups. The differences in mortality and ADL and IADL limitations were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Comorbid cancer and dementia predicted longer nursing home utilization and poorer self-rated health. The results help guide care planning for individuals with comorbid cancer and dementia.