Associations of quality of social support and beliefs in curability among older adults with advanced cancer.

12049 Background: Prior studies suggest that social support plays a role in disease understanding of older patients with advanced cancer. In this study, we examined the association of quantity and quality of social support with belief in curability among older patients with advanced incurable cancer. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized geriatric assessment trial (URCC 13070: PI Mohile) that recruited older adults (≥70) with advanced incurable cancer and caregivers. At enrollment, patients completed the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) Medical Social Support form to measure both quantity (number of close friends and relatives) and quality of social support. Quality of social support was measured using twelve questions, each ranged from 1 (none of the time) to 5 (all of the time). Higher cumulative scores indicated greater quality of support. For beliefs in curability, patients were asked, “What do you believe are the chances that your cancer will go away and never come back with treatment?” Responses were 0%, <50%, 50/50, >50%, and 100%. Ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the association of social support with beliefs in curability, adjusting for adjusting for age, gender, education, race, number of Geriatric Assessment (GA) impairments, cancer type, and locality (rural versus urban). Results: We included 347 patients; mean age was 76.4 years, 91% were white, 52% were male, 46% had household income <$50,000, and 55% had high school degree or higher. For every unit increase in OARS Medical Social Support score, the odds of believing in curability decreases by 36.4% [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.733, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): (0.555, 0.969)], after controlling for covariates. Quantity of social support was not associated with belief in curability [AOR 1.033 95% CI: (0.921, 1.156)]. Conclusions: Our study revealed that older patients with advanced cancer who felt more supported by their social network were more likely to report that their cancer was not curable. Interventions that improve quality of social support may also affect disease understanding. Funding: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) 4634 and NIH K24 AG056589 to SGM, NCI UG1CA189961, T32CA102618, NCI K99CA237744 to Loh.

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Modeling of quality of life in older adults with advanced cancer: Data from a URCC NCORP multisite trial.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.31_suppl.218 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽

pp. 218-218

Author(s):

Marie Anne Flannery ◽

Eva Culakova ◽

Huiwen Xu ◽

Kah Poh Loh ◽

Charles Stewart Kamen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

High School ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Symptom Assessment ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Cancer Data

218 Background: While the importance of symptom assessment is well recognized in Palliative Care (PC), limited evidence is available on the growing population of older adults with advanced cancer. Increasingly geriatric assessment (GA), which incorporates validated tools to assess health status, is advocated as a component of the care for older patients with cancer, but is not routinely incorporated into PC evaluations. We tested the hypothesis that variability in QoL for older adults with advanced cancer would be predicted by both symptoms and GA. Methods: Data from an ongoing cluster RCT conducted at 68 oncology practices were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were: > 70 years old, advanced solid tumor diagnosis, impairment in at least 1 GA domain (e.g., function). Multiple reliable and valid objective assessments and self-report measures for each GA domain were completed. Symptoms were assessed by MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI). Hierarchical regression modeling was conducted. The dependent variable was FACT score at Time 2 (4-6 weeks). The independent (Time 1) variables were entered in 3 steps: 1) gender, race, educational level( < or > high school), cancer type ( GI / Lung or other), receiving chemotherapy; 2) MDASI, 3) GA measures: Polypharmacy, Blessed Orientation and Memory Concentration Test, % weight loss, Short Physical Performance Battery, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Older Adult Resource Survey (OARS) Comorbidity, OARS Medical Social Support, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Results: N = 342 at time 1 (Mean age 77 years, 43% female, 90% white, 51% high school graduates, 49% GI or Lung cancer, 68% on chemotherapy). N = 303 at time 2(11% attrition due to death or withdrawal). Overall, 46% of variance in QoL was explained (demographic and disease characteristics: 4% [p = .05], symptoms: 32% [p < .0001], GA measures: 10% [p < .0001]). Significant individual GA predictors of worse QoL were lower social support, higher anxiety, impairment in IADLs, and poorer physical performance. Conclusions: Findings suggest that GA explains variance in quality of life scores for older adults with advanced cancer and reinforce the importance of symptom assessment and management in this population. Clinical trial information: NCT02107443.

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Using Geriatric Assessment to Guide Conversations Regarding Comorbidities Among Older Patients With Advanced Cancer

JCO Oncology Practice ◽

10.1200/op.21.00196 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. OP.21.00196

Author(s):

Amber S. Kleckner ◽

Megan Wells ◽

Lee A. Kehoe ◽

Nikesha J. Gilmore ◽

Huiwen Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Advanced Cancer ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Older Patients ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Random Effect ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Cluster Randomized Trial ◽

Clinical Encounter ◽

Older Americans ◽

Cluster Randomized

PURPOSE: Older patients with advanced cancer often have comorbidities that can worsen their cancer and treatment outcomes. We assessed how a geriatric assessment (GA)–guided intervention can guide conversations about comorbidities among patients, oncologists, and caregivers. METHODS: This secondary analysis arose from a nationwide, multisite cluster-randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02107443 ). Eligible patients were ≥ 70 years, had advanced cancer (solid tumors or lymphoma), and had impairment in at least one GA domain (not including polypharmacy). Oncology practices (n = 30) were randomly assigned to usual care or intervention. All patients completed a GA; in the intervention arm, a GA summary with recommendations was provided to their oncologist. Patients completed an Older Americans Resources and Services Comorbidity questionnaire at screening. The clinical encounter following GA was audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for topics related to comorbidities. Linear mixed models examined the effect of the intervention on the outcomes adjusting for practice site as a random effect. RESULTS: Patients (N = 541) were 76.6 ± 5.2 years old; 94.6% of patients had at least one comorbidity with an average of 3.2 ± 1.9. The intervention increased the average number of conversations regarding comorbidities per patient from 0.52 to 0.99 ( P < .01). Moreover, there were a greater number of concerns acknowledged (0.52 v 0.32; P = .03) and there was a 2.4-times higher odds of having comorbidity concerns addressed via referral, handout, or other modes (95% CI, 1.3 to 4.3; P = .004). Most oncologists in the intervention arm (76%) discussed comorbidities in light of the treatment plan, and 41% tailored treatment plans. CONCLUSION: Providing oncologists with a GA-guided intervention enhanced communication regarding comorbidities.

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PREDICTING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN OLDER ADULTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER: AN EVALUATION OF ONCOLOGISTS’ ESTIMATES AND A GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT-BASED PREDICTIVE MODEL

Journal of Geriatric Oncology ◽

10.1016/s1879-4068(19)31134-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. S8-S9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.L. Lund ◽

P.R. Duberstein ◽

K.P. Loh ◽

S. Plumb ◽

L. Lei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

Predictive Model ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Geriatric Assessment

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Quality-of-Life Measurement in Advanced Cancer: Assessing the Individual

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1999.17.11.3603 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3603-3611 ◽

Cited By ~ 130

Author(s):

Dympna Waldron ◽

Ciaran A. O'Boyle ◽

Michael Kearney ◽

Michael Moriarty ◽

Desmond Carney

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Internal Validity ◽

Semistructured Interview ◽

Incurable Cancer ◽

Life Measurement ◽

The Difference ◽

The Individual ◽

Very High

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing importance of assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer, relatively little is known about individual patient's perceptions of the issues contributing to their QoL. The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) and the shorter SEIQoL–Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) assess individualized QoL using a semistructured interview technique. Here we report findings from the first administration of the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW to patients with advanced incurable cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: QoL was assessed on a single occasion using the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW in 80 patients with advanced incurable cancer. RESULTS: All patients were able to complete the SEIQoL-DW, and 78% completed the SEIQoL. Of a possible score of 100, the median QoL global score was as follows: SEIQoL, 61 (range, 24 to 94); SEIQoL-DW, 60.5 (range, 6 to 95). Psychometric data for SEIQoL indicated very high levels of internal consistency (median r = .90) and internal validity (median R2 = 0.88). Patients' judgments of their QoL were unique to the individual. Family concerns were almost universally rated as more important than health, the difference being significant when measured using the SEIQoL-DW (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced incurable cancer were very good judges of their QoL, and many patients rated their QoL as good. Judgments were highly individual, with very high levels of consistency and validity. The primacy given to health in many QoL questionnaires may be questioned in this population. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to clinical assessment and advance directives.

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Outcomes Related to Percutaneous Nephrostomies (PCN) in Malignancy-Associated Ureteric Obstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2354

Author(s):

Francesca J. New ◽

Sally J. Deverill ◽

Bhaskar K. Somani

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Previous Treatment ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Ureteric Obstruction ◽

Survival Times ◽

Advanced Malignancies ◽

The Impact

Background: Malignant ureteric obstruction occurs in a variety of cancers and has been typically associated with a poor prognosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) can potentially help increase patient longevity by establishing urinary drainage and treating renal failure. Our aim was to look at the outcomes of PCN in patients with advanced cancer and the impact on the patients’ lifespan and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A literature review was carried out for articles from 2000 to 2020 on PCN in patients with advanced malignancies, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar. All English-language articles reporting on a minimum of 20 patients who underwent PCN for malignancy-associated ureteric obstruction were included. Results: A total of 21 articles (1674 patients) met the inclusion criteria with a mean of 60.2 years (range: 21–102 years). PCN was performed for ureteric obstruction secondary to urological malignancies (n = −633, 37.8%), gynaecological malignancies (n = 437, 26.1%), colorectal and GI malignancies (n = 216, 12.9%), and other specified malignancies (n = 205, 12.2%). The reported mean survival times varied from 2 to 8.5 months post PCN insertion, with an average survival time of 5.6 months, which depended on the cancer type, stage, and previous treatment. Conclusions: Patients with advanced malignancies who need PCN tend to have a survival rate under 12 months and spend a large proportion of this time in the hospital. Although the advent of newer chemotherapy and immunotherapy options has changed the landscape of managing advanced cancer, decisions on nephrostomy must be balanced with their survival and quality of life, which must be discussed with the patient.

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Associations of Age, Gender, and Family Income with Quality of Life in Children With Advanced Cancer

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043454221992321 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104345422199232

Author(s):

Piera C. Robson ◽

Mary S. Dietrich ◽

Terrah Foster Akard

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Family Income ◽

Hematologic Malignancy ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Quality Of Life Inventory ◽

Younger Age ◽

Self Reports ◽

Life Inventory

Background: Children with cancer often experience decreased quality of life (QOL) throughout the illness trajectory. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations of demographic characteristics with QOL in children with advanced cancer. Methods: This secondary analysis was part of a larger randomized clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of a legacy intervention for children (7–17 years) with relapsed/refractory cancer and their primary parent caregivers. Assessments included child self-reports on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Cancer Module. Researchers used descriptive and linear regression statistical methods. Results: Children ( n = 128) averaged 10.9 years (SD = 3.0). The majority were female ( n = 68, 53%), white ( n = 107, 84%), had a hematologic malignancy ( n = 67, 52%), with family incomes of $50,000 or less ( n = 81, 63.3%). Statistically significant positive associations of both age and income level with PedsQL scores were observed ( p < .05) but not gender ( p > .05). The strongest correlations for age were with the procedural anxiety ( beta = 0.42), treatment anxiety ( beta = 0.26), and total ( beta = 0.28) scores (all p < .01). In general, there was a positive correlation between family income levels and PedsQL scores ( p < .05). The strongest correlations for income were with nausea ( R = 0.49), appearance ( R = 0.44), pain, and treatment anxiety (both R = 0.42) (all p < .01). Associations adjusted for age remained essentially the same (all p < .01). Discussion: Children with advanced cancer with lower family income and younger age are at high risk for poorer QOL. Oncology nurses should seek to identify families who may benefit from additional resources to promote QOL.

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Prognostic understanding, hospitalization, and hospice use among older patients with advanced cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.12037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 12037-12037

Author(s):

Kah Poh Loh ◽

Christopher Seplaki ◽

Reza Yousefi Nooraie ◽

Jennifer Leigh Lund ◽

Ronald M. Epstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Generalized Estimating Equations ◽

Older Patients ◽

Cluster Randomized Trial ◽

Response Options ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Poor Understanding ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

Hospice Use

12037 Background: Poor prognostic understanding of curability is associated with lower hospice use in patients with advanced cancer. Little is known if this holds true for older adults specifically. In addition, prognostic understanding are variably assessed and defined in prior studies. We evaluated the associations of poor prognostic understanding and patient-oncologist discordance in both curability and survival estimates with hospitalization and hospice use in older patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We utilized data from a national geriatric assessment cluster-randomized trial (URCC 13070: PI Mohile) that recruited 541 patients aged ≥70 with incurable solid tumor or lymphoma considering any line of cancer treatment and their oncologists. At enrollment, patients and oncologists were asked about their beliefs about cancer curability (options: 100%, > 50%, 50/50, < 50%, 0%, and uncertain) and estimates of patient’s survival (options: 0-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, and > 5 years). Non-0% options were considered poor understanding of curability (uncertain was removed from the analysis) and > 5 years was considered poor understanding of survival estimates. Any difference in response options was considered discordant. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) assessing associations of poor prognostic understanding and discordance with hospitalization and hospice use at 6 months, adjusting for covariates and practice clusters. Results: Poor prognostic understanding of curability and survival estimates occurred in 59% (206/348) and 41% (205/496) of patients, respectively. Approximately 60% (202/336) and 72% (356/492) of patient-oncologist dyads were discordant in curability and survival estimates, respectively. In the first 6 months after enrollment, 24% were hospitalized and 15% utilized hospice. Poor prognostic understanding of survival estimates was associated with lower odds of hospice use (AOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.16-0.59) (Table). Discordance in survival estimates was associated with greater odds of hospitalization (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.01-2.66). Conclusions: Prognostic understanding may be associated with hospitalization or hospice use depending on how patients were queried about their prognosis and whether oncologists’ estimates were considered.[Table: see text]

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