(B-024) Predictors of Skin Melanoma among Adult population and Its Impact on Quality of Life in the U.S.

Background: Melanoma incidence has increased by over 320% from 1975 to 2018 in the U.S., yet mortality rates have declined due to advances in treatment. Despite this progress, melanoma remains responsible for approximately 75% of skin cancer-related deaths. Understanding its predictors and impact on quality of life (QoL) may help refine screening strategies and improve early detection efforts. Additionally, Identifying demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with melanoma could provide insights into disparities in diagnosis and patient outcomes.

Objectives: To examine potential predictors of skin melanoma and assess its impact on mental and physical quality of life in the U.S. adult population.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analysed nationally representative data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2018 to 2022, focusing on adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with skin melanoma. Key variables included demographic factors (age, race, sex, income, education), health-related factors (smoking status, comorbidities), and access to care (insurance status). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models (both unadjusted and adjusted) were used to evaluate predictors of melanoma diagnosis, with variables meeting a p-value threshold of ≤0.2 included in the adjusted model. Quality of life was assessed based on self-reported physical and mental health, categorized on a 5-point scale from excellent (5) to poor (1), and analysed using SAS V9.4 with appropriate sample weights.

Results: The study included 9,751 participants (weighted: 105,894,003). Significant predictors of melanoma diagnosis (p < 0.05) included age, race, sex, insurance status, income, education level, and smoking history. African Americans had lower odds of melanoma diagnosis compared to Whites (OR: 0.063, 95% CI: 0.014–0.277), and females had lower odds compared to males (OR: 0.770, 95% CI: 0.621–0.954). Quality of life analyses showed that individuals diagnosed with melanoma reported a mean mental health score of 3.80 ± 0.05 and a mean physical health score of 3.50 ± 0.04, suggesting a moderate impact on overall well-being.

Conclusions: This study suggests that race and gender may be associated with differences in melanoma diagnosis. Furthermore, melanoma appears to have a moderate impact on both mental and physical QoL, though variations in individual experiences may reflect differences in disease burden, treatment access, or coping mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of refining screening strategies, particularly for under-represented populations, and integrating psychosocial support into melanoma care.