Associations among frailty and quality of life in older patients with cancer treated with chemotherapy.
J Geriatr Oncol
; 13(8): 1149-1155, 2022 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36008271
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Previous studies have suggested that frailty among older adults with cancer is associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including greater chemotherapy toxicity and worse survival. However, results often do not include patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to evaluate frailty prior to receipt of moderately- or highly-emetogenic chemotherapy and acute changes in QOL in patients at least 65 years of age. It was hypothesized that frail patients would report greater declines in QOL. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Participants completed questionnaires before receiving their first infusion and again five days later. A 59-item deficit accumulation index score was created at baseline using a modified Rockwood frailty index. QOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). The relationship between baseline frailty and QOL was evaluated using a dichotomized deficit accumulation index (frail vs. robust) in repeated measures ANOVA.RESULTS:
Study participants (n = 151) had a mean age of 72 (SD = 4.5) and 62% were female. Nearly half (42%) were frail at baseline. Frail participants reported worse QOL at baseline compared to robust participants. Frail patients reported smaller declines in overall and physical (p < 0.0001) and emotional (p = 0.006) QOL from baseline to five days after receiving chemotherapy. At five days, frail participants reported better emotional and physical QOL compared to robust participants.DISCUSSION:
Contrary to expectations, frail patients reported smaller declines in QOL compared to robust patients using a deficit accumulation index. These results can be used to help educate frail patients on what to expect during treatment.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Frailty
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
J Geriatr Oncol
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States