Sharing geriatric and functional status assessment data with older adults who have cancer: Patients’ preferences and utility.

Abstract

e13761 Background: Geriatric assessments (GA) improve clinical outcomes for older adults undergoing cancer treatment, but their preferences regarding the use and sharing of GA results are unknown. As part of a cancer care delivery trial, we collected data on the utility of sharing GA results with patients, sharing preferences, and potential for unintended consequences. We report these descriptive outcomes in an interim analysis after 20% enrollment. Methods: Eligible patients were age ≥ 65 and starting a new chemotherapy-based treatment. Participants completed a GA, wore a FitBit for 3 days (to determine Objective Functional Status, OFS), and then completed the preferences questionnaire. GA assessed domains were: functional, social, psychological, cognition, co-morbidity, nutrition, toxicity risk, and financial hardship. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. The study was IRB approved and registered (NCT06652347). Results: For this analysis, 52 patients were approached and 20 (38%) enrolled. 1 withdrew prior to questionnaire completion. Mean (SD) age was 71.7 (6.6). 55% were male, 20% non-White race, and 20% lived alone. Most participants wanted assessment results shared with them: 84% for the GA and 79% for the OFS. Participants preferred to know results before deciding on a cancer treatment (68% GA and 58% OFS). They agreed/strongly agreed that results were useful (74% GA and 68% OFS) and easy to understand (79% GA and 84% OFS). 68% (GA) and 79% (OFS) would recommend them to others making treatment decisions. The GA identified more abnormalities than participants’ expected in 21% and fewer in 16%. OFS activity level was lower than expected for 11% and higher for 26%. The GA and OFS helped participants understand their cancer care and health, interact with their care team, and feel in control of their care and empowered to take an active role (Table). Few felt worried by their results (Table). Conclusions: Patients wanted to know their GA and OFS results before deciding on a cancer treatment. They found results easy to understand, empowering, and believed knowing helped them understand and participate in their cancer care. Sharing results with patients may promote optimal individualized shared decision-making around cancer treatment for older adults. Clinical trial information: NCT06652347 . Knowing my results will… GAn (%)*Agree/Strongly Agree OFSn (%)* Agree/Strongly Agree Help me better understand my cancer care 11 (58%) 7 (37%) Help me better understand my overall health 15 (79%) 10 (53%) Help me discuss my treatment with my cancer care team 11 (58%) 8 (42%) Help me prepare for visits with my cancer care team 9 (47%) 9 (47%) Help me take a more active role in my cancer care 10 (53%) 7 (37%) Help me feel in control of my cancer care 8 (42%) 9 (47%) Make me worry about treatment side effects 2 (11%) 1 (5.3%) Make me worry about my cancer 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Make me worry about my overall health 0 (0%) 0 (0%) *(N=19 after 1 withdrawal).