title: Results of comprehensive geriatric assessment effect survival in patients with malignant lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of elderly and comorbid patients (pts) with malignant lymphoma (ML) will steadily increase in future. Elderly patients comprise a heterogeneous population. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is an established diagnostic tool in geriatric medicine. However, the prognostic value in patients with ML is unclear. We sought to establish a relationship between results of CGA and survival time in patients with ML.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly diagnosed patients with ML and indication for chemotherapeutical treatment were prospectively recruited in an observational trial. In addition to usual diagnostic work up, a CGA including activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and comorbidities was performed. Association of patients' characteristics and results of CGA with survival were analysed according to Kaplan-Meier method and in a multivariate Cox-regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 143 patients were included, median age was 63 years, 63 patients were women. Median follow-up of surviving patients was 62 months. Sixty-six patients died within this time. Advanced age, poor Karnofsky performance status, dependence in ADL and IADL and presence of severe comorbidity were significantly associated with shorter survival time. In a Cox-regression analysis, IADL (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1-3.9) and comorbidity (HR 1.9; 95% CI 0.9-3.9) were independent and strongest associated with survival time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of CGA, such as IADL and comorbidities, are prognostic variables for survival of patients with ML. Results should be validated in homogeneous clinical groups and if confirmed included in diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Abteilung Hämatologie und internistische Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747 Jena, Germany. Nils.Winkelmann@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Winkelmann
authors.forename: Iver
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiehntopf
authors.forename: Hans Joerg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Fricke
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hochhaus
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wedding
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged