Title
A single centre retrospective chart review study of the use of geriatric assessment for older oncology patients.
Aims
Geriatric screening tools are becoming more common place in medical oncology due to their importance in patient/treatment selection and our aging, often comorbid, population. The timing of the assessment is subject to resource availability and patient access, and is often completed after the oncologist has seen the patient and treatment decision made. This study was designed as the first stage of a larger study comparing outcomes with use of these tools before treatment decisions are made versus afterwards. We review the use of geriatric assessments performed after initial reviews and treatment decision making.
Methods
Data was abstracted for patients referred to this service between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019 who were 70 years old and above at the referral date. Data sources included patient charts, investigations, assessments, letters, electronic medical records and chemotherapy administration program. Geriatric assessment tools used were the G8 screening tool, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Charlson comorbidity data. Patients who a haematological malignancy or not to have a malignancy were excluded.
Results
184 patients were included. Demographic and treatment data, geriatric tool correlation and overall survival data has been collected and processed. The median age of referral was 78 (range 70-99). The majority of patients were referred with metastatic disease and most were given treatment. 133/184 underwent G8 screening and 60/184 went on to have a CGA performed. Our data shows a correlation between G8 score and OS.
Conclusions
Our retrospective data supports the relevance of performing geriatric assessments on older patients. This forms the basis for part two of the study which will focus of performing these assessments prior to an oncologist reviewing the patient to determine if this influences treatment decisions and thus outcomes.