Communication about comorbidities among 527 older patients with advanced cancer and their oncologists and caregivers: A multisite cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Authors

null

Amber Kleckner

University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Amber Kleckner , Nikesha Gilmore , Elizabeth Belcher , Allison Magnuson , Richard Francis Dunne , Ian Kleckner , Huiwen Xu , Eva Culakova , Megan Wells , Nicholas J. Vogelzang , Elie G. Dib , Valerie Targia , Luke Joseph Peppone , Karen Michelle Mustian , Supriya Gupta Mohile

Organizations

University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, University of Rochester James Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, Michigan Cancer Research Consortium (NCORP), Ann Arbor, MI, Stakeholders for the Care and Research of Oncology Elders (SCOREBoard) Advisory Committee, Rochester, NY

Research Funding

U.S. National Institutes of Health
U.S. National Institutes of Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Background: Older patients with advanced cancer often have comorbidities that increase the risk of toxicity from neoplastic therapy but are not always considered in treatment planning. We assessed the utility of a geriatric assessment (GA) intervention to increase the number and quality of discussions about comorbidities among oncologists, older patients, and caregivers. Methods: This multi-site trial enrolled patients who were ≥70 years, had advanced solid tumors or lymphoma, had ≥1 GA impairment, and who were considering or receiving cancer treatment. All patients received the GA and completed an Older Americans Resources and Services Comorbidity survey, which evaluated 15 conditions and interference with activities (clinical impairment = ≥3 comorbidities or ≥1 highly interfering). Oncology practices were randomized to intervention (GA with a summary with management recommendations provided to oncologists) or usual care (GA only). The clinic visit after GA was audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for GA topics including comorbidity. Generalized linear mixed models adjusting for site (random effect) were used to assess the effect of the intervention. Results: Patients (n=527 evaluable, 76.6±5.2 years, 49% female) and oncologists (n=131, 63 in intervention) were enrolled from 31 sites. In total, 94.5% of patients had ≥1 comorbidity with an average of 3.2±1.9; 64% were clinically impaired by comorbidity (p=0.76 between arms). The intervention arm had twice the number of conversations about comorbidities (1.02 vs. 0.52 conversations per patient, difference 0.50, 95% CI 0.18-0.81, p=0.004) and conversations were more likely to be initiated by the oncologist (p<0.001, Table). Moreover, among patients who had conversations about comorbidities, more patients in the intervention arm had discussions specifically addressing comorbidities (e.g., cancer treatment modification, communication with the primary care physician; 24.3% vs. 7.5%, p=0.003). Conclusions: Providing oncologists with a GA summary and recommendations encouraged them to engage in more discussions about their patients’ comorbidities with the goal of addressing interactions between comorbidities, cancer, and its treatments. Funds: PCORI CD4634, NCI UG1CA189961 Clinical trial information: NCT02107443.

No. of comorbidity-related discussions during a clinic visit (unadjusted).

Conversation initiatorUsual care (n=14 sites
243 patients)
Intervention (n=17 sites
284 patients)
Oncologist71243
Patient4542
Caregiver617
Other43
Total126305

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Symptoms and Survivorship

Track

Symptom Science and Palliative Care

Sub Track

Geriatric Models of Care

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02107443

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr 12040)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.12040

Abstract #

12040

Poster Bd #

328

Abstract Disclosures

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