Impact of hearing and visual impairment in older adults with cancer.

Abstract

10036 Background: Hearing and visual impairment increase the risk of psychological, functional, and cognitive deficits in older adults. However, little is known about their impact in older patients (pts) with cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of 2 prospective studies of pts ≥65 with cancer (Hurria et al. JCO 2011 & 2016) which identified risk factors for chemotherapy (CT) toxicity. Relationships between self-reported hearing/visual impairment (fair, poor or deaf/blind) and the need for assistance in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL, i.e. shopping), or activities of daily living (ADL, i.e. bathing); anxiety; depression and cognitive deficit (>11 on Blessed OMC test) were assessed (adjusted for age, sex, race, education, cancer type/stage, comorbidity, falls & medication). Results: Among 750 pts (median age 72, range 65-94) with solid tumors (28% lung, 27% GI, 30% breast/GYN; 58% stage IV), 28% (n = 213) reported 1 impairment (61% hearing, 39% visual) and 7% (n = 55) both. On multivariate analysis, impaired hearing was associated with IADL dependency, anxiety and depression. Visual impairment was associated with IADL dependency, ADL limitation and depression. Impairment in both was associated with IADL dependency, anxiety, depression and cognitive deficit. Conclusions: Older pts with cancer and hearing/visual impairment are at higher risk of functional, psychological and cognitive deficits. Interventions aimed at improving vision and hearing of older adults with cancer should be studied. [Table: see text]