Abstract 568P
Background
The management of advanced breast cancer (ABC) may be complicated by comorbidities. Evidence on comorbidities in low- to middle-income countries is limited. We aimed to investigate the baseline burden of comorbidities and associated factors in women with ABC in Malaysia.
Methods
This cross-sectional analysis used data from a cohort study of women diagnosed with ABC (stages IIIB, IIIC, IV) from 2022-2024 in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and University Malaya Medical Centre. Sociodemographic data were collected via interviews, and clinical data from medical records. Comorbidities were coded using the modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Multivariable linear regression was used to analyse the. sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the modified CCI in this population.
Results
Of the 215 women with ABC, the median age was 55 years; 61.4% were Malay, 27.9% Chinese, and 9.8% Indian. The median modified CCI was 1 (IQR: 0-2). Factors associated with lower modified CCI included: Secondary education (B=-0.70, p=0.005) and tertiary education (B=-0.81, p=0.003) compared to primary or no education, and being employed (B=-1.07, p<0.001) compared to being unemployed. Higher modified CCI was associated with poorer ECOG performance status (B=0.44, p=0.02), lower likelihood of receiving targeted therapy (B=-0.42, p=0.01). These findings suggest that higher education and employment are linked to a lower comorbidity burden. Conversely, a higher comorbidity burden correlates with poorer performance status and reduced likelihood of receiving targeted therapy in Malaysian women with ABC.
Conclusions
Socioeconomic factors, such as education and employment, are important predictors of comorbidities and should be considered in patient care strategies. Addressing comorbidities in women with ABC may help optimize clinical care and improve patient performance and wellbeing.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Novartis.
Disclosure
N.F. Bt Abdul Satar: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Roche, Eisai, Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant: Naluri Hidup Sdn Bhd, KURA Oncology, MSD Malaysia; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Ipsen Pharma, Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Sponsor/Funding: Zuellig Pharma. M. Thiagarajan: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Astellas, Janssen, MSD, Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker’s Bureau: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, DKSH, Dr Reddy, Ipsen Pharma, Juniper, Eisai, Novartis, Pfizer, Taiho, Takeda, ZP; Financial Interests, Personal, Research Funding: Arrivent Biopharma, Gilead Sciences, Dizal Pharma, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. C.H. Yip: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: AstraZeneca. N. Bhoo-Pathy: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: Novartis; Financial Interests, Institutional, Speaker’s Bureau: Pfizer, Roche, Zuellig Pharma, Takeda ; Financial Interests, Personal, Funding: City Cancer Challenge Foundation; Financial Interests, Personal, Research Funding: Pharmaceutical association ofMalaysia. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.