The role of intrinsic capacity in predicting cancer mortality – Evidence from the UK Biobank

Aim

To examine the association between intrinsic capacity and cancer mortality in middle-aged and older adults.

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.

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.

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.