In:
Oncology Research and Treatment, S. Karger AG, Vol. 39, No. 4 ( 2016), p. 210-216
Abstract:
〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The aim of this study was to identify an appropriate screening instrument for the identification of frail elderly patients in a tertiary cancer center. In order to improve cancer care for older patients, the use of a geriatric assessment (GA) has been proposed to identify frail patients or those who are at a higher risk for chemotherapy-related toxicities. In busy clinical routine, an appropriate screening instrument could be used to spare time- and resource-consuming application of GA. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Patients and Methods: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 We administered the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13), G8 questionnaire, and Predictors of Toxicity (POT) as well as a GA at the first visit of 84 consecutive patients at a single Comprehensive Cancer Center. Analysis for patients' characteristics as well as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (npv) was conducted. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The median age of the patients was 73 years (range 63-93 years), 61.9% were male, most (63%) suffered from gastrointestinal tumors, 39.3% had a multiple cancer diagnosis, and 53.6% had metastasis. 30 (35.7%) individuals were classified as ‘frail' by the GA. Sensitivity of G8 was 38.3%, and the npv was 63.8%. Sensitivity for VES-13 was 57.1%, and npv was 76.3%. Sensitivity of POT was 72.7%, and the npv was 80.6%. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 For the first time, the VES-13, G8, and POT are compared in a sample of older German patients. The POT seems to be a sufficient screening tool to identify frail patients in a tertiary referral cancer center and helps to save time and resources compared with a complete GA.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2296-5270
,
2296-5262
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2749752-5
