Factors Associated with Activities Of Daily Living In Geriatric Patients With Cancer

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The ability to meet daily needs decreases with advancing age. As a result of both the disease and the treatments applied to the elderly patients who are followed up with the diagnosis of cancer, daily living activities are affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting activities of daily living in geriatric cancer patients. METHODS: In this study, patients aged 65 years and older who were followed up in the Medical Oncology outpatient clinic were evaluated. In addition to demographic and disease characteristics, a questionnaire including Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) was applied. RESULTS: 129 patients aged 65 years and older were evaluated in the study. When the IADL scores were evaluated; it was found that IADL scores were higher in those under 75 years, those who do not have any children, and those with an education equal to or greater than primary school level. In multivariate analysis; low education level was associated with low IADL scores (OR: 5.4(%95 CI 1.1-26.2), p= 0.035). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of IADL is precious for determining the palliation or rehabilitation needs and cognitive/ physical functionality. Especially patients with low education level should be evaluated with IADL and patient under risk should be further evaluated with multidimensional geriatric assessment tools.