Factors associated with falls in older adults with cancer: a validated model from the Cancer and Aging Research Group.

Authors

• Tanya M Wildes
• Ronald J Maggiore
• William P Tew
• David Smith
• Can-Lan Sun
• Harvey Cohen
• Supriya G Mohile
• Ajeet Gajra
• Heidi D Klepin
• Cynthia Owusu
• Cary P Gross
• Hyman Muss
• Andrew Chapman
• Stuart M Lichtman
• Vani Katheria
• Arti Hurria

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls in older adults with cancer are common, yet factors associated with fall-risk are not well-defined and may differ from the general geriatric population. This study aims to develop and validate a model of factors associated with prior falls among older adults with cancer.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional secondary analysis, two cohorts of patients aged ≥ 65 with cancer were examined to develop and validate a model of factors associated with falls in the prior 6 months. Potential independent variables, including demographic and laboratory data and a geriatric assessment (encompassing comorbidities, functional status, physical performance, medications, and psychosocial status), were identified. A multivariate model was developed in the derivation cohort using an exhaustive modeling approach. The model selected for validation offered a low Akaike Information Criteria value and included dichotomized variables for ease of clinical use. This model was then applied in the validation cohort.

RESULTS: The development cohort (N = 498) had a mean age of 73 (range 65-91). Nearly one-fifth (18.2%) reported a fall in the prior 6 months. The selected model comprised nine variables involving functional status, objective physical performance, depression, medications, and renal function. The AUC of the model was 0.72 (95% confidence intervals 0.65-0.78). In the validation cohort (N = 250), the prevalence of prior falls was 23.6%. The AUC of the model in the validation cohort was 0.62 (95% confidence intervals 0.51-0.71).

CONCLUSION: In this study, we developed and validated a model of factors associated with prior falls in older adults with cancer. Future study is needed to examine the utility of such a model in prospectively predicting incident falls.

Volume

26

Issue

10

First Page

3563

Last Page

3570

ISSN

1433-7339

Published In/Presented At

Wildes, T. M., Maggiore, R. J., Tew, W. P., Smith, D., Sun, C. L., Cohen, H., Mohile, S. G., Gajra, A., Klepin, H. D., Owusu, C., Gross, C. P., Muss, H., Chapman, A., Lichtman, S. M., Katheria, V., Hurria, A., & Cancer and Aging Research Group (2018). Factors associated with falls in older adults with cancer: a validated model from the Cancer and Aging Research Group. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(10), 3563–3570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4212-3

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

29705872

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article