Exploring racial disparities on the association between allostatic load and cancer mortality: A retrospective cohort analysis of NHANES, 1988 through 2019

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies suggest that chronic stress may be associated with increased risk of cancer mortality. Our study sought to determine the association between allostatic load (AL), a measure of cumulative stress, and risk of cancer death; and whether these associations varied by race/ethnicity. MethodsWe performed retrospective analysis using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) years 1988 through 2010 linked with the National Death Index through December 31, 2019. We fit Fine & Gray Cox proportional hazards models to estimate sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHRs) of cancer death between high and low AL status (models adjusted for age, sociodemographics, and comorbidities). ResultsIn fully adjusted models, high AL was associated with a 14% increased risk of cancer death (adjusted (SHR): 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.26) among all participants and a 18% increased risk of cancer death (SHR:1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–1.34) among Non-Hispanic White (NH-White) adults. When further stratified by age (participants aged <40 years), high AL was associated with a 80% increased risk (SHR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.35–2.41) among all participants; a 95% increased risk (SHR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.22–3.12) among NH-White adults; a 2-fold (SHR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.27–3.34) increased risk among Non-Hispanic Black (NH-Black) adults; and a 36% increased risk among Hispanic adults (SHR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.70–2.62). ConclusionsOverall, the risk of cancer death was associated with high AL; however, when stratified among NH-Black and Hispanic adults this association was slightly attenuated. ImpactHigh AL is associated with increased risk of overall cancer death, and future studies should delineate the association between AL and cancer-specific mortality to better understand the causal mechanisms between cumulative stress and cancer.