Gender difference in vulnerability and geriatric syndromes among elderly cancer survivors.

Abstract

9091 Background: Few studies have evaluated the gender difference of vulnerability and geriatric syndromes (GS) among cancer survivors. Methods: Using 2003 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, we applied multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association of gender with vulnerability and GS among cancer survivors. Vulnerability is measured by Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13), which is calculated from age, self-rated health status, difficulty with physical activities and functional activities. Vulnerability is defined by a VES-13 score of 3 or higher. 8 common geriatric syndromes were assessed: sight trouble, hearing trouble, nutrition problem, incontinence, falls, depression, memory loss and osteoporosis. Cancer survivors are defined as patients with cancer diagnosed more than one year ago. Results: Among the 1,883 cancer survivors, 749 (40.0%) were male; 1,134 (60.0%) were female. Female survivors had a higher prevalence of vulnerability (47.8% vs 35.7%), and GS (65.5% vs 44.6%) than male survivors. Mean GS number was 1.19 for female survivors, while 0.77 for male survivors (p<0.001). More specifically, female survivors had significantly higher prevalence of sight trouble (7.73% vs 5.0%), incontinence (14.3% vs 7.1%), falls (28.9% vs 22.1%), depression (13.8% vs 7.7%) and osteoporosis (38.2% vs 6.7%). After adjusting for confounders, female survivors were more likely to be vulnerable (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.62; CI: 1.21-2.17; p=0.001); have a geriatric syndrome (AOR: 2.39; CI: 1.91-3.00; p<0.001); have sight trouble (AOR: 1.70; CI: 1.00-2.87; p=0.049); have incontinence (AOR: 2.48; CI: 1.67-3.69; p<0.001); have depression (AOR: 1.87; CI: 1.29-2.71; p<0.001); and have osteoporosis (AOR: 8.48; CI: 6.07-11.84; p<0.001). Conclusions: Female cancer survivors experience a higher prevalence of vulnerability and overall geriatric syndromes.