title: Comprehensive geriatric assessment and comorbidities predict survival in geriatric oncology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can detect geriatric problems and potentially improve survival, physical, and cognitive state of patients, as well as increase an older person's chances of staying at home longer. In older people, the number and severity of comorbidity increase with age and are an important determinant of survival. The aim of the study was to assess to which extent CGA and comorbidities could be seen as determinants of survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analyzed data from two hospitals that included geriatric assessments of patients aged 70 years and more with cancer linked to mortality. Logistic regression was used to model survival predictors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and five various cancer patients (47% females) with a median age of 79 were included. They presented with a lot of undiagnosed geriatric problems. Screening scales (G8, SEGA), cognitive, and psychological disorders, and low albumin levels appeared to be independent survival factors. A frailty profile classification was associated with higher mortality. The average comorbidity was graded 2 according to the Charlson scale. By the geriatric cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS-G), the arithmetic average number of affected organ systems was 5 (range 0-10) in all patients. Cardiovascular disorders were the most common comorbidity. Renal insufficiency and anaemia were negatively associated with survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Old cancer patients present a lot of comorbidities and newly diagnosed geriatric problems. Several tools provide determinants of survival in old cancer patients. Prospective trials evaluating the utility of a CGA to guide interventions to improve quality of cancer care in older adults are justified.
authors.affiliation: a Geriatric Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Charleroi , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Charleroi , Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Denewet
authors.affiliation: b Geriatric Department, Hôpital Erasme , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Breucker
authors.affiliation: c Medical Oncology Clinic, Hôpital Erasme , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luce
authors.affiliation: d Geriatric Department, Hôpital André Vésale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Charleroi , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Montigny-le-Tilleul , Belgium.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kennes
authors.affiliation: a Geriatric Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Charleroi , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Charleroi , Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higuet
authors.affiliation: e Geriatric Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre , Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pepersack
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Cancer; Comorbidity; Elderly; Geriatric assessment; Survival