Geriatric screening results and the association with severe treatment toxicity after the first cycle of (radio)chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Screening tools are used in geriatric oncology to determine who should receive a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). However, in this prospective study, we evaluated the association between geriatric screening results, measured with the G8 and Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), and severe treatment toxicity.

METHODS: Patients over 65 years with various types and stages of cancer were screened with the G8 and the GFI prior to the start of treatment. The association between geriatric screening results and Serious Adverse Events (SAE) after the first cycle of (radio)chemotherapy were studied with bivariate analysis (normal versus abnormal screening test) and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: From 170 screened patients, 85 patients were eligible for this study. The median age was 76 years (range: 66-88 years). The treatment intent was curative in 46% and palliative in 54%. A SAE occurred in 15 patients (18%) of which three resulted in death. There was no significant association between the G8, as a dichotomous predictor (p = 0.376) or as a continuous predictor (p = 0.298), and risk of a SAE. We also found no significant association for the GFI analysed as a dichotomous predictor (cut-off ≥4: p = 0.384; cut-off ≥3: p = 0.773), nor as a continuous predictor (p = 0.734). All associations remained insignificant when adjusted for treatment type and comorbidity.

CONCLUSION: The G8 and the GFI can be used to select patients for CGA, but they do not seem to be predictive for short-term severe treatment toxicity.