article = {COR-2019-4-107}
title = {Frailty in Older Patients Referred to Oncology, and Impact of Treatment: Use of a Modified 6 Item Score}
journal = {Clinical Oncology and Research}
year = {2019}
issn = {2613-4942}
doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.COR.2019.04.07}
url = {https://www.sciencerepository.org/frailty-in-older-patients-referred-to-oncology-and-impact-of-treatment-use-of-a-modified-6-item-score_COR-2019-4-107 
author = {Bridget Robinson,Chris Frampton,Claire Whitehead,Dean Harris,Ruth Gerring,}
keywords = { Frailty, frailty score, medical oncology, cancer treatment, cohort study}
abstract ={Aims: Retrospectively audit the outcome of frail older patients referred to a regional medical oncology
service in New Zealand and assess the 8 item G8 frailty score.
Methods: For all patients 75 years and older assigned a first assessment at the medical oncology service
over 12 months, data on diagnosis and health status was collected, and the G8 score determined.
Results: 305 of the 350 given an appointment attended, 52% were male, 53% had metastatic disease, 29%
had colorectal cancer. If aged 84+ years, 50% deteriorated or died within 6 months. Age, cancer diagnosis,
stage, and higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were associated with poor outcome at 6 months; use of
chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiation and surgery with better outcome. Data allowed use of 6 items
from the G8 score; with 55% classified frail or vulnerable on G6 score. At 6 months 62.7% deemed frail
had deteriorated or died, compared with 22.9% of those not frail.
Conclusion: In patients with a new cancer diagnosis aged 75 years and older, outcome at 6 months was
associated with age, cancer type, stage, treatment and G6 score. The G6 frailty score used age, weight and
height (BMI), loss of appetite, decreased mobility, self-declared health status and medication use, and
should be tested prospectively.}