Similarities and differences in the correlates of comorbidities in US male and female adult cancer survivors

Objectives: To determine both the common and the sex-specific correlates of comorbidities in adult male and female cancer survivors. Design: Cross-sectional study using the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Sample: Male (n = 667) and female (n = 772) cancer survivors 20 years of age and older. Measurements: Questionnaire responses from NHANES provided data for this study. Comorbidities were assessed using a modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of comorbidities in male and female cancer survivors separately. Results: The mean modified CCI score was 3.88 in males and 3.68 in females. Having a greater number of cancers diagnosed, being currently or formerly married, being physically inactive, having lower socioeconomic status, and being a former smoker were significant correlates of comorbidities in both males and females. Having a prostate cancer diagnosis was also a significant correlate of comorbidities in males. White race, more years since first cancer diagnosis, being overweight or obese, and having no more than a high school education were also significant correlates of comorbidities in females. Conclusions: There are differences between correlates of comorbidities in male and female cancer survivors.