The Epidemiology of Pre-Existing Geriatric and Palliative Conditions in Older Adults with Poor Prognosis Cancers (GP712)

Outcomes 1. Explain how geriatric and palliative care principles are important in the care of older adults with poor prognosis cancers 2. Characterize the prevalence of preexisting geriatric and palliative care conditions for older adults with poor prognosis cancers Importance Older adults with poor prognosis cancers are vulnerable to toxicities from cancer-directed therapies. The benefits and burdens of treatment should be contextualized within their overall prognosis and their functional, social, and symptom experience. Due to lack of routine assessment, however, the geriatric and palliative are needs of this population are unclear. Objective(s) To characterize the prevalence of preexisting geriatric and palliative conditions among older adults with poor prognosis cancers. Method(s) We used the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare (1998-2016) to identify adults age ≥65 with poor prognosis cancers (median overall survival <1 year). Using the interview prior to the cancer diagnosis, we determined the presence of clinically significant geriatric and palliative conditions across multiple domains: functional impairment, mobility, falls, unintentional weight loss, self-rated health, social support, mentation, use of pain or sleep medications, and advance care planning. Results Of 2,105 participants, mean age was 76, 52.7% were female, 34.1% had lung cancer, and the median overall survival was 9 months. After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of preexisting geriatric and palliative conditions were as follows: 65% had difficulty climbing stairs (95% CI 63-67%), 49% had not completed an advance directive (95% CI 45-54%), 35% lived alone (95% CI 32.5-36.7%), 35% fell in the last 2 years (95% CI 33-37%), and 32% rated their memory as poor (95% CI 29-34%). Functional impairment, impaired mobility, and falls were highest among those age >85. Those aged 65-74 were less likely to have an advance directive. Women had a higher rate of preexisting physical impairments when compared with men (e.g., for difficulty climbing stairs, the adjusted RR 1.25 [95% CI 1.14-1.36]). Conclusion(s) Because of a high prevalence of preexisting conditions across multiple domains, all older adults with poor prognosis cancers should be screened for geriatric and palliative care conditions. Impact Geriatric and palliative care principles should be implemented for older adults with poor prognosis cancers.