Physical function and all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Physical function is an independent predictor of numerous chronic diseases, but its association with all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer has received little attention. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prospective association between physical function and all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer. Methods Two authors systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SportsDiscus databases. Prospective studies reporting associations of baseline physical function with all-cause mortality in patients aged 60 years or older diagnosed with any type of cancer were included. Hazard Ratios (HR) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted from studies for all-cause mortality and pooled HRs were then calculated using the random-effects inverse-variance model with the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment. Results Data from 25 studies with 8,109 adults diagnosed with cancer aged ≥60 years were included in the study. Higher levels of physical function (short physical performance battery, HR=0.44 95% CI, 0.29–0.67; I 2=16.0%; timed up and go, HR=0.40 95% CI, 0.31–0.53; I 2=61.9%; gait speed, HR=0.41 95% CI, 0.17–0.96; I 2=73.3%; handgrip strength: HR=0.61 95% CI, 0.43–0.85, I 2=85.6%; and overall, HR=0.45 95% CI, 0.35–0.57; I 2=88.6%) were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to lower levels of functionality. Neither age at baseline nor length of follow-up had a significant effect on the HR estimates for lower all-cause mortality risk. Conclusion Physical function may exert an independent protective effect on all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer.