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- Title
Comparison of the Health and Functional Status Between Older Inpatients With and Without Cancer Admitted to a Geriatric/Internal Medicine Unit.
- Authors
Retornaz, Frederique; Valerie, Seux; Sourial, Nadia; Braud, Anne-Chantal; Monette, Johanne; Bergman, Howard; Soubeyrand, Jacques
- Abstract
Background. Cancer is predominantly a disease in the population aged 65 years and older. Previous studies have suggested that older cancers patients seen in oncology departments are healthy with few comorbidities. Relatively little is known about the health and functional status of older cancer inpatients, especially outside oncology units. The purpose of this study is to compare the health and functional status of older cancer and noncancer inpatients admitted to a geriatric/ internal medicine unit. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted on inpatients 65 years old and older, who had been hospitalized during a period of 2 years in the geriatric/internal medicine unit. The health and functional status of 144 inpatients with active cancer was compared to that of 682 inpatients without active cancer. Eight domains were compared: functional status, comorbidity, medication, nutritional status, neurosensory deficits, cognition, mood, and mobility. The hospitalization measures (length of stay, death, need for palliative care) were also compared. Results. We found that inpatients with active cancer were younger, had less comorbidity and less cognitive impairment, but were more depressed and at greater risk for malnutrition than patients without cancer. These two groups were similar in terms of functional status, neurosensory deficit, and mobility. Cancer patients had a significantly shorter length of stay, required more palliative care, and were more likely to die during hospitalization. Conclusion. These findings indicate that older cancer patients admitted to a geriatric/internal medicine unit present with multiple active geriatric problems, have characteristics distinct from those of traditional geriatric patients, and require specific care and management.
- Subjects
CANCER patients; MEDICAL care for older people; PALLIATIVE treatment; GERIATRICS; DISABILITIES; COMORBIDITY; MEDICAL care
- Publication
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 2007, Vol 62, Issue 8, p917
- ISSN
1079-5006
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/gerona/62.8.917