Risk of cardiovascular disease among head and neck cancer survivors: A population-based matched cohort study

Background: In the United States, approximately 63,000 Americans develop head and neck cancer (HNC) annually. Our study aims were to investigate cardiovascular complications and risk factors for development of CVD among HNC survivors. Methods: Utilizing the Utah Populations Database, a total of 1,901 HNC patients diagnosed and 7,796 birth year, sex, and birth state matched individuals from the general population were identified. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used. Results: Within the first two years after cancer diagnosis, HNC survivors had a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). High Charleston Comorbidity Index (CCI) score at baseline (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.67, 95 % 1.28-2.17), stage II and IV disease (HR 1.80, 95 % 1.29-2.51), age >=65 years old (HR 2.31, 95 % 1.85-2.88), chemotherapy (HR 1.47, 95 % 1.15-1.88) were associated with increased CVD risk. Conclusions: Compared to the general population, HNC survivors were more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, particularly if they had the following risk factors: older age, stage II or IV cancer, high baseline CCI score, and chemotherapy were risk factors for development of CVD.