title: Fall-risk prediction in older adults with cancer: an unmet need.
abstract: Falls in older adults with cancer are more common than in noncancer controls, yet no fall-risk screening tool has been validated in this population. We undertook a cross-sectional pilot study of the Falls Risk Questionnaire (FRQ) in 21 adults aged ≥65 receiving systemic cancer therapy. Participants completed the FRQ, geriatric assessment measures, and a measure of fear-of-falling. The recruitment rate was 87.5 %, with 95.2 % completion of the FRQ and additional geriatric assessment and quality of life measures. The FRQ correlated significantly with the Timed Up and Go test (Pearson r 0.479, p = 0.028). In addition, the FRQ score correlated directly with fear-of-falling and inversely with QOL, particularly physical health and neurotoxicity subscales. In conclusion, the FRQ was feasible in older adults receiving cancer therapy and correlates with measures of physical performance, functional status, and fear-of-falling. The FRQ may prove to be a valuable fall-risk screening tool to implement fall-prevention interventions in this vulnerable population of older adults with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8056, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. twildes@dom.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Tanya M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wildes
authors.affiliation: Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Depp
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colditz
authors.affiliation: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Aging; Cancer; Falls; Geriatric assessment