Three Years Survival of Elderly Cancer Patients in Indonesia: Do We Need a Different Approach?

BACKGROUND: the number of elderly people in Indonesia is increasing. Additionally, cancer prevalence among older patients is also increasing. However, studies assessing clinical factors associated with the survival of elderly patients with cancer are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the survival of geriatric patients with cancer and associated factors. METHODS: this was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects were geriatric patients with cancer aged >60 years, enrolled between 2013 and 2015 in Dharmais Cancer Hospital. Data were retrieved from medical records and consisted of gender, age, cancer type, stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), body mass index (BMI), Charlson Comorbidity Index, and type of treatment. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: a total of 249 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 66 (60-85) years. The most common cancer was of the lung, followed by breast, colorectal, and uterine cervical cancers. The median survival time was 24 months. Cox multivariate analysis was performed by gender stratification. Advanced stage cancer (III-IV) was identified as the risk factor for mortality in female patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-4.80; p = 0.001), while poor performance status (ECOG 2 - 4) was the risk factor in male group (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.01-3.24; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: the survival of elderly patients with cancer is affected by traditional prognostic factors. Advanced cancer stage was significant independent prognostic factor in female patients, while poor performance status was significant in male patients.

Assessing Telemedicine Demand and Viability in Indonesian Geriatric Clinics: A Comprehensive HOT FIT and Sociotechnical Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The growing elderly population in Indonesia presents challenges for the healthcare system, prompting the exploration of telemedicine as a solution. However, its effective implementation in Indonesia faces obstacles. METHOD: This research aimed to develop a comprehensive geriatric telemedicine framework in Padang City by studying multiple stakeholders. We employed qualitative methods, including in- -depth interviews, across two hospitals, a Health Office, and a Community Health Center, involving 18 elderly participants. RESULT: The study identified ten key dimensions for geriatric telemedicine services: technology, Human-Computer Interface (HCI), infrastructure, system workflow, clinical content, people (diverse roles), organization (ecosystem, service workflow, internal and external regulations), and financing (social security agency on health and independent). We used the Human-Organization- Technology Fit and Sociotechnical System approaches for analysis. CONCLUSION: The study suggests implications for future implementation and advocates for broader participant involvement, information technology (IT) studies for system development, and longitudinal evaluations to assess the impact on elderly health outcomes.

Physio-cognitive decline syndrome among middle-aged diabetes patients: Handgrip strength significantly correlates with glycaemic control and cognitive score.

Aims: To investigate the correlation between glycaemic control with component of Physio-Cognitive Decline Syndrome (PCDS) and among each component of PCDS itself. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted (January 2021-November 2022) at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia on consecutively recruited T2DM outpatients aged 40-59 years old. Data on the latest three months HbA1c, hand grip strength (HGS), usual gait speed (GS), and Indonesian Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina) were evaluated. Pearson or Spearman's test was used to analyse the correlations. Results: There were 133 subjects with median age 53 (40-59) years. The PCDS was found in 48.1 % subjects, of which 64.1 % with uncontrolled glycaemia. Significant correlations were found between HGS and HbA1c (r = -0.24, R2 = 0.06, p < 0.01) and MoCA-Ina score (r = 0.21, R2 = 0.04, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The higher HbA1c and the lower MoCA-Ina score, the weaker handgrip strength was.

Quality of life in older survivors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received chemotherapy and related factors.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer and its treatment have a broad impact on patients' Quality of Life (QoL). Previous researches showed that many factors in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) affect QoL. CGA could predict toxicity, overall survival rate and can help adjust the choice and intensity of treatment in each patient. However, there has been no research explicitly exploring factors related to the QoL in older patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). This research aims to explore the how factors in CGA relate to the QoL in older patients with NHL. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study design was cross-sectional in NHL patients aged ≥ 60 years, research was conducted in Integrated Geriatric Polyclinic and Hemato-Oncology Polyclinic of three public hospitals in Jakarta, during March-August 2019. RESULTS: There were 62 subjects, with a median age of 66 years, 56.5% male. The result showed that most of the patients have a good QoL, based on each domain of SF-36 and EORTC QLQ-C30. In multivariate analysis, it was found that depression and frailty status were related to PCS SF-36 domain with PR 12.086 (95% CI 1.596-92.124) and PR 5.622 (95% CI 1.060-29.807), respectively. Multivariate analysis with SF-36's Mental Component Summary (MCS) showed a significant relationship with depression status with PR 24.400 (95% CI 2.961-140.539). While the results of multivariate analysis with the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scale showed a significant relationship with the ECOG performance score with PR 171 (95% CI 8.470-3452.28). DISCUSSIONS: After multivariate analysis, only frailty status, depression status and ECOG performance score have a statistically significant relationship.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care in the Post Pandemic World: Five Major Lessons Learnt from Challenges and Countermeasures of Major Asian Cancer Centres.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected healthcare services around Asia. The Asian National Cancer Centres Alliance and the Asia-Pacific Organisation for Cancer Prevention collaborated to assess the mid- and long- term impact of COVID-19 to cancer care in Asia. METHODS: The two entities organised a combined symposium and post-meeting interactions among representatives of major cancer centres from seventeen Asian countries to outlining major challenges and countermeasures. RESULTS: Participating stakeholders distilled five big questions. 1) "Will there be an explosion of late-stage cancers after the pandemic?" To address and recover from perceived delayed prevention, screening, treatment and care challenges, collaboration of key stakeholders in the region and alignment in cancer care management, policy intervention and cancer registry initiatives would be of essential value. 2) "Operations and Finance" The pandemic has resulted in significant material and financial casualties. Flagged acute challenges (shortages of supplies, imposition of lockdown) as well as longer-standing reduction of financial revenue, manpower, international collaboration, and training should also be addressed. 3) "Will telemedicine and technological innovations revolutionize cancer care?" Deploying and implementing telemedicine such as teleconsultation and virtual tumour boards were considered invaluable. These innovations could become a new regular practice, leading to expansion of tele-collaboration through collaboration of institutions in the region. 4) "Will virtual conferences continue after the pandemic?" Virtual conferences during the pandemic have opened new doors for knowledge sharing, especially for representatives of low- and middle-income countries in the region, while saving time and costs of travel. 5) "How do we prepare for the next pandemic or international emergency?" Roadmaps for action to improve access to appropriate patient care and research were identified and scrutinised. CONCLUSION: Through addressing these five big questions, focused collaboration among members and with international organisations such as City Cancer Challenge will allow enhanced preparedness for future international emergencies.
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The role of autosuggestion in geriatric patients' quality of life: a study on psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology pathway.

BACKGROUND: There has been no study conducted about the effect of autosuggestion on quality of life for geriatric patients. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of autosuggestion for geriatric patients' quality of life and its impact on psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune pathway. METHODS: Sixty geriatric patients aged ≥60 years in a ward were randomly assigned to either receive autosuggestion or not. Autosuggestion was recorded in a tape to be heard daily for 30 days. Both groups received the standard medical therapy. Primary outcome was quality of life by COOP chart. Secondary outcomes were serum cortisol level, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interferon-γ, and N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in limbic/paralimbic system by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The study was single blinded due to the nature of the intervention studied. RESULTS: Out of 60 subjects, 51 finished the study. The autosuggestion group reported better scores than the control one for quality of life, COOP chart 1.95 vs. 2.22 (95% CI, p = 0.02). There were increments of serum cortisol (p = 0.03) and interleukin-6 in the autosuggestion group (p = 0.04). Interleukin-2, interferon-γ, and N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in prefrontal cortex showed a tendency to increase in the autosuggestion groups. CONCLUSION: Autosuggestion is associated with improvement of geriatrics' quality of life, serum cortisol level, and adaptive immunity. There is a better trend for neuroplasticity in prefrontal cortex in the autosuggestion group.