Cardiometabolic comorbidities in Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors: prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life and supportive care needs

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities (i.e., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease) among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and examine the impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), unmet supportive care needs, patient-provider communication self-efficacy, satisfaction with cancer care, and increases in healthy behaviors. Methods: Hispanics/Latinos diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (N = 288) were assessed within 15 months of primary treatment completion. Results: One-quarter (24.7%) of survivors were diagnosed with diabetes and one-fifth (20.8%) were diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Survivors with at least one cardiometabolic comoribidity were older (t(278) = -.3.622, p <.001) and more likely to have a household income of less than $25,000 (X ² = 8.369, p =.004). When adjusting for sociodemographic and medical covariates, survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities demonstrated worse overall HRQoL (B = -4.792, p =.050), emotional (B = -1.479, p =.018) and physical (B = -2.228, p =.005) wellbeing, a higher odds of unmet psychological (OR = 2.095, p =.027) and sexuality (OR = 2.898, p =.004) needs, and greater patient-provider communication self-efficacy (B =.179, p =.045). There were no differences in healthy behavior changes or satisfaction with cancer care. Conclusions: Cardiometabolic comorbidities may be highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and increase the risk of worse HRQoL and unmet supportive care needs. Targeted interventions are needed to optimize health among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities.