Objectives: Comorbidities can further challenge prognosis and general wellbeing of cancer patients. This study aimed to assess the association between comorbidities and perceived health status (PHS) of United States(US) persons with cancer.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study used 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data and included individuals who were alive, aged 18 to 84 years, and had diagnosis for cancer. Using adjusted logistic regression models, we estimated the association of comorbidities (no, few [1/2], and more [>2] comorbidities) with PHS. Analyses were weighted and accounted for the complex design of MEPS. An alpha level of 0.05 was set a-priori.

Results: The dataset included 28,512 participants, 2,300 of which were eligible for the study. Participants with no; few; and more comorbidities accounted for 11.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]=9.6-12.6%); 41.6% (95% CI=39.2-44.0%) and 47.3% (95% CI=44.9-49.7%), respectively. Adjusted logistic regression showed that, compared with those who had more comorbidities, persons who had no, and few comorbidities had 2.82 (95% CI=1.49-5.34) and 1.73 (95% CI=1.19-2.53) times greater odds of good PHS. Good (versus poor) mental health (odds ratio [OR]=7.22; 95% CI=4.83-10.81) and being employed (versus unemployed) (OR=1.61; 95% CI=1.13-2.30) were associated with higher odds of good PHS. Variables associated with lower odds of good PHS included: age 18-44 (versus 65-84) years (OR=0.29; 95% CI=0.15-0.54); age 45-64 (versus 65-84) years (OR=0.55; 95% CI=0.37-0.84); <high school education (versus >high school) (OR=0.58; 95% CI=0.37-0.92); low versus high income (OR=0.68; 95% CI=0.47-0.98); functional limitation (yes versus no) (OR=0.62; 95% CI 0.44-0.86); and pain (yes versus no) (OR=0.28; 95% CI=0.20-0.41).

Conclusion: About 50% of the 2,300 US cancer patients aged 18-84 years reported having ≥2 comorbidities. Having more comorbidities, with several other variables, was associated with poor PHS. Comorbidities management must be given special consideration to improve the prognosis and general wellbeing of persons with cancer.