AIM
The Geriatric-8 (G8) Screening Tool has been validated to screen patients for clinical frailty and who would benefit from a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)1. A G8 score of 15+ implies one is fit, unlikely to need a CGA, and should receive standard of care treatment. Whereas, a score of <15 implies a patient is frail and should undergo a CGA with subsequent management determined by CGA recommendations. Its association with mortality and clinical outcomes has not been studied in an Australian population.
METHODS
This single centre retrospective cohort study examined patients in a regional cancer centre aged 65+ commencing intravenous systemic anticancer treatment from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 with information collected up until 30 June 2023 for outcomes and analysis. The G8 score was applied retrospectively to their status prior to C1D1 of treatment using all available data from the electronic medical record.
RESULTS
A sample size of 173 patients was analysed after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median age was 73 (range 65-88), 41% had a G8 score 15+, 59% had G8 score <15. The most common cancer types were Lung (26%), breast (13%), and colorectal cancer (10%). Kaplan Meier Curves revealed improved survival if G8 score 15+ with a hazard ratio of 0.36 (95% CI 0.22-0.59, p<0.001). The 1 year mortality for a G8 score of 15+ was 18% vs 48% if G8 score <15. Completion of planned treatment without dose reductions or delays was 62% if G8 score 15+ vs only 24% if G8<15.
CONCLUSION
The G8 score is an important tool in geriatric oncology for predicting mortality if systemic treatment is to be given, as well as predicting the ability for patients to complete systemic treatment without dose reductions or delays.