Trends in Racial/Ethnic Disparity of Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with and without Cancer (1998–2012)

Background: Non-White cancer survivors often report poorer health compared with Non-Hispanic Whites. Whether those disparities are changing over time is unknown. We examined changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by race/ethnicity from 1998 to 2012 among older adults with and without cancer. Methods: Data from Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were obtained from the linkage between the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data (SEER-MHOS). HRQOL was assessed with the SF-36/VR-12 Physical and Mental Component Scores (PCS/MCS) and 8 scales (Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Mental Health, Role-Emotional). Annual average HRQOL scores, adjusting for age at survey, gender, number of comorbidities, education, and SEER registry, were compared over time. Absolute (between-group variance; BGV) and relative (mean log deviation; MLD) indices of disparity were generated using the National Cancer Institute's health disparities calculator (HD*Calc). Joinpoint was used to test for significant changes in the slopes of the linear trend lines. Results: Racial/ethnic disparities in MCS increased in absolute and relative terms over time for those with [BGV = 15.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2–21.6); MLD = 16.2 (95% CI, 10.5–22.1)] and without [BGV = 19.3 (95% CI, 14.9–23.8); MLD = 19.6 (95% CI, 15.2–24.0)] cancer. PCS disparities over time did not significantly change. Changes in disparities in 5 of 8 HRQOL scales were significant in those with and without cancer. Conclusions: Older adults with cancer show increasing racial/ethnic disparities in HRQOL, particularly in mental health status. Impact: Future research should evaluate trends in HRQOL and explore factors that contribute to health disparities.