Identifying characteristics of women cancer survivors with a recent history of falls.

Authors

null

Kerri M. Winters-Stone

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

Kerri M. Winters-Stone , Thais Reis , Sydnee Stoyles , Nathan Dieckmann

Organizations

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Research Funding

NIH

Background: Epidemiologic data suggest that fall rates are increased among women with a history of cancer compared to women never diagnosed with cancer. However, the unique characteristics of women cancer survivors who fall are not completely understood. Our study aimed to identify the demographic, clinical and physical attributes of women treated for cancer and who experienced falling in the past year. Methods: Secondary data analysis of baseline data from aging women cancer survivors (greater than 50 years of age) about to participate in clinical exercise trials (n = 611). Based on self-report of having fallen in the last year (yes/no), women were compared on the following: age, cancer type (breast vs. other), cancer stage, time since diagnosis, presence of neuropathy or pain, comorbidities, BMI, physical activity, maximal leg press strength, chair stand time, walk speed, gait patterns, and the short physical performance battery (sPPB). Stepwise regression was run to determine attributes significantly associated with fall history. Results: 28% of women reported falling in the last year (n = 173) and 79% of fallers experienced a related injury. Women cancer survivors who fell were significantly more likely than women who did not fall to have: not received chemotherapy (25% vs. 13%), higher morbidity scores (2.2 vs. 1.8), higher BMI (30.6 vs. 29.2 kg/m2), more neuropathy (49 vs. 39%), wider base of support (10.0 vs. 8.8 cm), more of the gait cycle spent in the stance phase (64 vs. 63%), longer chair stand times (12.8 vs. 11.9 sec.), and lower PPB scores (10.3 vs. 10.8). In stepwise regression models, receipt of chemotherapy, comorbidities, maximal leg strength, neuropathy, base of support, and % time in the stance phase of gait were significantly associated with the odds of having fallen in the last year. Conclusions: Women cancer survivors over 50 years old have a prevalence of falls approaching the 33% reported by the general population of women over 65; however, the rate of injurious falls is much higher in our sample of women cancer survivors. Fall prevention should be considered in women cancer survivors at an earlier age than usual for older women, particularly for survivors at higher risk for falls, and focus on exercise to improve gait and leg strength.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2017 Cancer Survivorship Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities, Psychosocial Issues, and Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Track

Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities,Psychosocial Issues,Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Sub Track

Long-term Complications/Sequelae of Treatment (Noncancer)

Citation

J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl 5S; abstr 113)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2017.35.5_suppl.113

Abstract #

113

Poster Bd #

C1

Abstract Disclosures

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