Anemia and physical function in older women with gynecologic cancer.

Abstract

e19510 Background: Anemia is very common in older cancer patients, and it is independently associated with negative health outcomes (e.g. disability, mortality). Although physical function and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration are crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of older cancer patients (affecting access to antineoplastic therapies), their relationship has never been formally explored. Aim of the study is to explore the relationship between Hb concentration and physical function in older cancer patients. Methods: Data are from the first 27 older women (mean age 72.9 [SD 6.0] years) with gynecologic cancer evaluated in an ongoing prospective study performed in an oncogeriatric unit. Physical function was measured by typical oncological (i.e. Karnofsky [KPS] and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance status [ECOG]) and geriatric (i.e. Activities of Daily Living [ADL], Instrumental ADL [IADL], and the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) scales. Unadjusted and adjusted (Model 1: age; Model 2: age, Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale) linear regression models exploring the association between Hb (independent) and physical function measures (dependent; per 1 SD increase) were performed. Results: Mean Hb concentration was 11.5 (SD 1.8) g/dL. Results (beta coefficient [SE]) from linear regressions are reported in the Table. Conclusions: Hb is inversely associated with physical function in older cancer patients. Stronger associations were reported (in decreasing order) for SPPB, ADL, and ECOG. In performing comprehensive geriatric assessment of older cancer patients, these three measures may represent better tools to use because able to capture underlying biological conditions (i.e. low Hb concentration). Unadjusted Model 1 Model 2 SPPB 0.315 (0.107) p = 0.008 0.373 (0.114) p = 0.004 0.343 (0.153) p = 0.04 ADL 0.353 (0.101) p = 0.002 0.372 (0.112) p = 0.004 0.307 (0.135) p = 0.04 IADL 0.254 (0.107)p = 0.03 0.289 (0.117)p = 0.02 0.226 (0.141)p = 0.13 KPS 0.213 (0.124)p = 0.10 0.239 (0.136)p = 0.09 0.114 (0.163)p = 0.49 ECOG -0.257 (0.103)p = 0.02 -0.294 (0.106)p = 0.009 -0.203 (0.104)p = 0.06 SDs: SPPB: 3.491; ADL: 1.577; IADL: 2.535; KPS: 11.773; ECOG: 0.537. No significant financial relationships to disclose.