Aging, Disease, and Disparity: Unraveling Links Between Prostate Cancer and Heart Failure

Intro Prostate cancer, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), represents a significant health challenge, being a leading cause of cancer death among men of all races. With an incidence rate on the rise since 2014 and projections indicating around 299,010 new cases in 2024 in the United States alone, the need to understand its interplay with other prevalent conditions like congestive heart failure (CHF) is increasingly crucial. CHF itself, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, shares common risk factors with prostate cancer, including age, obesity, and smoking. This shared risk profile underscores the importance of examining the potential links between these conditions. Methods To investigate the potential association between prostate cancer and congestive heart failure (CHF), we utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), specifically collected between March 2017 and March 2020. This dataset included information on medical conditions relevant to our study. We conducted a logistic regression analysis, adjusting for variables such as age, race, education, and marital status to determine the relationship between a history of prostate cancer and CHF. A logistic regression model was employed using R. Regression results yielded odds ratios, confidence intervals, and p-values for our findings. Results Results from the analysis of 13,772 participants indicated that prostate cancer was not significantly associated with an increased risk of CHF, with an odds ratio of 0.8973 (p=0.74). However, age was a significant factor, increasing CHF odds by 6.22% for each additional year. Racial disparities were evident, with non-Hispanic whites and Blacks showing higher CHF odds. Educational attainment was inversely correlated with CHF risk, highlighting socioeconomic factors’ influence on health outcomes. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings suggest no direct comorbidity between prostate cancer and CHF but underscore the significance of age, race, and education in CHF risk. These insights contribute to the broader understanding of CHF risk factors, emphasizing the need for tailored public health strategies and interventions. Future research should continue to explore the intricate relationships between chronic conditions and demographic factors to enhance disease management and prevention strategies.