The association of cancer history with markers of cognitive decline in a large US national survey registry.

Abstract

11136 Background: Cancer is known to cause health complications, including heart and kidney disease, but its long-term impact on cognition is less understood. Cognitive impairments, such as memory and attention problems, are common in survivors, particularly those treated with chemotherapy, known as cancer-related cognitive impairment. While physical activity may help, survivors often face higher disability rates. Clarifying cancer's long-term cognitive effects is essential for improving survivors' quality of life. Methods: An extensive, de-identified, publicly available database from the CDC, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data collected in 2021 was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association between demographics, cancer diagnosis, medical diagnoses, and various markers of cognitive decline. The final analysis had over 100,000 responses. Results: The logistic regression model, considering various demographic and medical parameters (Table 1), revealed that a history of cancer in both males and females was associated with markers of cognitive decline. This included depression in males (OR=1.235, 95% CI 1.180-1.293, p<0.001); and in females (OR=1.177, 95% CI 1.137-1.218, p<0.001), difficulty remembering or concentrating in males (OR=1.172, 95% CI 1.110-1.238, p<0.001); and in females (OR=1.155, 95% CI 1.103-1.210, p<0.001), and difficulty running errands in males (OR=1.174, 95% CI 1.101-1.251, p<0.001) and in females (OR=1.194, 95% CI 1.138-1.251, p<0.001). Interestingly, exercise in the last 30 days was associated with a protective effect on all markers of cognitive decline. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrated a significant negative association between cancer diagnosis and markers of cognitive decline in both males and females. At the same time, exercise in the last 30 days was associated with less cognitive decline. Multivariable log reg analysis assessing associations with cognitive decline markers in men. Depression Difficulty Running Errands Difficulty Remembering or Concentrating P value OR 95% CI P value OR 95% CI P value OR 95% CI Lower Upper Lower Upper Lower Upper Age (ref. 50-54 yrs) 55-59 yrs <.001 .866 .808 .928 0.015 0.867 0.773 0.973 0.001 0.857 0.786 0.936 60-64 yrs <.001 .758 .708 .812 <.001 0.713 0.637 0.798 <.001 0.666 0.610 0.727 65-69 yrs <.001 .649 .603 .700 <.001 0.604 0.534 0.683 <.001 0.576 0.523 0.634 70-74 yrs <.001 .570 .525 .618 <.001 0.671 0.590 0.763 <.001 0.581 0.524 0.644 75-79 yrs <.001 .447 .407 .491 <.001 0.699 0.608 0.804 <.001 0.633 0.566 0.709 ≥80 yrs <.001 .288 .259 .321 0.005 1.220 1.063 1.399 <.001 0.800 0.714 0.896 Any history of cancer (Yes vs. No) <.001 1.235 1.180 1.293 <.001 1.174 1.101 1.251 <.001 1.172 1.110 1.238 Exercise in last 30 days (Yes vs. No) <.001 .702 .672 .733 <.001 0.339 0.320 0.359 <.001 0.632 0.602 0.664 *Adjusted for the following variables listed: Race, USA region, BMI category, education level completed, smoking status, marital status, employment status, and metropolitan status.