Abstract
Aims: Retrospectively audit the outcome of frail older patients referred to a regional medical oncology service in New Zealand and assess the 8 item G8 frailty score.
Methods: For all patients 75 years and older assigned a first assessment at the medical oncology service over 12 months, data on diagnosis and health status was collected, and the G8 score determined.
Results: 305 of the 350 given an appointment attended, 52% were male, 53% had metastatic disease, 29% had colorectal cancer. If aged 84+ years, 50% deteriorated or died within 6 months. Age, cancer diagnosis, stage, and higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were associated with poor outcome at 6 months; use of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiation and surgery with better outcome. Data allowed use of 6 items from the G8 score; with 55% classified frail or vulnerable on G6 score. At 6 months 62.7% deemed frail had deteriorated or died, compared with 22.9% of those not frail.
Conclusion: In patients with a new cancer diagnosis aged 75 years and older, outcome at 6 months was associated with age, cancer type, stage, treatment and G6 score. The G6 frailty score used age, weight and height (BMI), loss of appetite, decreased mobility, self-declared health status and medication use, and should be tested prospectively.