Geriatric assessment and care for older cancer inpatients admitted in acute care for elders unit

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• 作者：Frederique Retornaz ; Valerie Seux ; Vanessa Pauly ; Jacques Soubeyr
• 关键词：Cancer ; Aged ; Comprehensive geriatric assessment ; Functional status ; Acute care unit
• 刊名：Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
• 出版年：2008
• 出版时间：November 2008
• 年：2008
• 卷：68
• 期：2
• 页码：165-171
• 全文大小：125 K

文摘

Purpose

The goal of this study was to characterize an elderly population admitted to an Acute Care for Elders Unit (ACE) and to determine their trajectory as well as the prevalence of functional dependencies.

Design and methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 186 older cancer inpatients, admitted over a period of 30 months. Demographic and oncologic data, reasons for admission, and geriatric assessment (comorbidity, dependency, medication, nutritional status, neurosensory deficits, cognition, mood, and mobility) were recorded.

Results

Older cancer inpatients presented a high prevalence of disability, impaired mobility, malnutrition, and depression. Reasons for admission were mostly due to non-specific symptoms. For one-third of the patients, hospitalization led to the diagnosis of cancer. Patients already diagnosed with cancer presented advanced stage disease and progressive disease; only a few received specific care.

Conclusion

Older cancer inpatients seen in ACE present numerous geriatric problems, non-specific symptoms, and advanced disease.