Impact of Accompanying Comorbidities on Survival in Patients with Stage IIIB- IV Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of accompanying comorbidities on survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. A total of 221 patients with stage IIIB- IV NSLC between May 1998 and April 2009 were included. Survival data was analyzed according to age (those younger than 65 and those 65 and older) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. Eighty-six (39%) patients were aged 65 and older, and the remaining 135 (61%) were younger than 65. In the 65 and over group the median survival of patients was 44 months for CCI Group 0, 16 months for CCI Group 1, 10 months for CCI Group 2, and 10 months for CCI Group 3. For the younger group, the median survival time was 19 months for CCI Group 0, 18 months for CCI Group 1, 11 months for CCI Group 2, and 11 months for CCI Group 3. There were no statistically significant differences in the comorbidity factors regarding survival in the two groups of patients. In conclusion, the frequency of comorbidity factors increased in stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients as age increased. Although survival in patients with higher CCI scores was shorter, the CCI was not associated with survival for patients having local advanced and metastatic disease; no significant difference was found statistically for these patients. Therefore, these patients need to be managed more thoroughly.