| Title: | The role of intrinsic capacity in predicting cancer mortality - Evidence from the UK Biobank |
| Journal: | Maturitas |
| Published: | 28 Aug 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40912001/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108709 |
Publication 19643
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Abstract
AIM: To examine the association between intrinsic capacity and cancer mortality in middle-aged and older adults.</p>
METHODS: We analysed a prospective cohort of 443,130 participants from the UK Biobank, with seven biomarkers reflecting the level of functioning in five domains of intrinsic capacity to calculate an overall score (ranging from 0 [better] to +4 [poor]). Associations between intrinsic capacity scores and mortality from any type of cancer (censored as of December 31, 2022) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for multiple potential confounders.</p>
RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10.6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 10.0, 11.3), 13,483 deaths were attributed to all cancers. In the full sample, the adjusted model showed that higher intrinsic capacity (i.e. a score of +4) was associated with a significant increase in cancer mortality (mean hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, 95 % CI 1.06-1.35, in men [C-index = 0.72] and 1.29, 1.14-1.46, in women [C-index = 0.69]). Subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex revealed larger effect sizes among (1) White participants compared with other ethnic groups, (2) individuals with higher socioeconomic deprivation, (3) current/former smokers, (4) frequent alcohol consumers, (5) those with a body mass index >25 kg/m2, and (6) individuals reporting no or low physical activity.</p>
CONCLUSION: Intrinsic capacity serves as a valuable predictor of cancer mortality, with deficits strongly associated with increased mortality risk in both middle-aged and older adults. Clinicians should recognise that even the presence of only two deficits in intrinsic capacity can significantly elevate the risk of cancer mortality.</p>
5 Authors
- Joaquín Calatayud
- Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés
- Rubén López-Bueno
- Mikel Izquierdo
- Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
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