Fatigue and Functional Dependence in Older Cancer Patients

• DOI: 10.1097/coc.0b013e31816d915f
• Publication Date: 2008-10-01T07:10:36Z
• Authors: Andrea Luciani; Paul B. Jacobsen; Martine Extermann; Paolo Foa; Desire Marussi; Janine A. Overcash; Lodovico Balducci
• Keywords: Depression

Functional dependence is a costly manifestation of aging that compromises the quality life elderly individuals and their caregivers. In this study, we hypothesized fatigue may be cause functional in older cancer patients. To establish whether was associated with 1 or more activities daily living (ADLs) instrumental (IADLs), declining performance status (PS). addition, studied prevalence its correlation anemia, depression, nutritional status.Retrospective cross-sectional study 214 patients aged 70 were seen over 3-month period by Senior Adult Oncology Program H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL. Each patient screened questionnaire assessing ADLs, IADLs, PS, cognitive impairment, malnutrition. each underwent assessment symptom inventory determination complete blood counts chemical panel.Fatigue reported 81% The interference score seemed to mediator for dependencies ADLs IADLs (P < 0.001 0.001), poorer PS 0.001).Fatigue common chronic problem represent major dependence.