Digital health in geriatric oncology: A Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology review.

The integration of digital health technologies in geriatric oncology has the potential to enhance patient care and self-management. This review article discusses the applications of these technologies, including teleassessment, telemonitoring, and teleintervention, within geriatric oncology, and evaluates their potential to improve cancer care and patient outcomes. We also review challenges to the implementation of digital health technologies among populations of older patients with cancer. The article provides a perspective for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and patients on the integration and utilisation of digital health technologies in current geriatric oncology practice.

The Prognostic Role of ST2L and sST2 in Patients Who Underwent Carotid Plaque Endarterectomy: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study.

Soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST)-2 plasma concentration is related to atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of sST2 and its membrane-associated form (ST2L) in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque who underwent endarterectomy (CEA). Eighty-two consecutive patients (age range: 48−86 years) who underwent CEA were enrolled. Anthropometric, clinical, instrumental, and laboratory evaluations were gathered. Thirty-seven (45%) patients were symptomatic of cerebrovascular diseases. Patients underwent a five-year follow-up. Phone calls and the analysis of national and regional databases were performed in order to evaluate the occurrence of the primary outcome (all-cause mortality). The population was divided according to survival status. Statins were administered in 81% and 87.5% of survivors and non-survivors, respectively. sST2 levels were higher in non-survivors than in survivors (117.0 ± 103.9 vs. 38.0 ± 30.0 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and in symptomatic individuals, compared with asymptomatic (80.3 ± 92.1 ng/mL vs. 45.4 ± 41.4 ng/mL, p = 0.02). ROC curve analysis identified sST2 cut-off: >98.44 ng/mL as the best predictor for mortality. At the one-year follow-up, the survival rate decreased up to 20% in patients with sST2 higher than the cut-off value. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that only sST2 (HR: 1.012, 95% CI: 1.008−1.016, p < 0.0001) and triglycerides plasma levels (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.002−1.015, p = 0.0135) remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality. ST2L was not associated with all-cause mortality risk. sST2 may act as an independent prognostic determinant of all-cause mortality and symptomatic cerebrovascular diseases in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque who underwent CEA.