Getting the right measure: Gait speed assessment and outcomes in older patients with cancer

IF 2.9 3区医学 Q3 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Journal of geriatric oncology Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-25 DOI:10.1016/j.jgo.2026.102908

Evelien R.A. Spruijt , Ajay T. Bakas , Aniel Sewnaik , Christian Oudshoorn , Francesco Mattace-Raso , Rob J. Baatenburg de Jong , Harmke A. Polinder-Bos

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Abstract

Introduction

Gait speed (GS) reflects an individual's physical capacity and is often used to assess the level of fitness in older individuals with cancer. Importantly, GS can be measured in various ways. This study examined the association between several GS measurements and one-year mortality in older patients with head and neck cancer.

Materials and methods

This prospective cohort study included 227 patients. GS was measured at usual and fast pace using a 5-m walkway. GS reserve (fast-usual GS) and GS ratio (fast/usual GS) were calculated. GS measurements were analyzed both as continuous and categorical variables. For the categorical analyses, two categorical GS variables were created: ‘1 m/s’ and ‘25th percentile.’ Each variable included three categories: for ‘1 m/s’: usual and fast GS <1 m/s, usual GS <1 m/s and fast GS ≥1 m/s, and usual and fast GS ≥1 m/s; for ‘25th-percentile’: usual and fast GS < p25, usual GS < p25 and fast GS ≥ p25, and usual and fast GS ≥ p25. Cox regression survival analyses were performed.

Results

Median age was 76 [IQR 72–80] years, 71% were men and 51 patients died within one year. Mean usual and fast GS were 1.08 ± 0.27 and 1.41 ± 0.39 m/s, respectively. A higher usual (HR 0.23, 95%CI 0.07–0.76) or fast GS (HR 0.36, 95%CI 0.14–0.91) were associated with lower mortality. Patients with usual and fast GS <1 m/s (HR 2.66, 95%CI 1.29–5.50) had a higher mortality risk compared to patients with usual and fast GS >1 m/s. The association of 25th percentile group with mortality attenuated after adjustment for treatment (HR 2.07, 95%CI 0.91–4.73). Neither GS reserve nor GS ratio were associated with mortality.

Discussion

Lower usual and fast gait speeds are associated with higher one-year mortality in patients with head and neck cancer. A simple guideline is that patients with usual and fast GS <1 m/s or < p25 have a twofold higher risk of dying within one year compared to patients who walk faster.

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获得正确的测量：老年癌症患者的步态速度评估和结果。

步态速度（GS）反映了个体的身体能力，通常用于评估老年癌症患者的健康水平。重要的是，GS可以用多种方式测量。这项研究调查了几项GS测量与老年头颈癌患者一年死亡率之间的关系。材料和方法：本前瞻性队列研究纳入227例患者。采用5米步道，以常速和快速测量GS。计算GS储量（快-常GS）和GS比（快/常GS）。GS测量值作为连续变量和分类变量进行分析。为了进行分类分析，我们创建了两个分类GS变量：“1 m/s”和“25百分位”。每个变量包括三个类别：“1 m/s”：通常和快速GS结果：中位年龄76岁[IQR 72-80]岁，71%为男性，51例患者在一年内死亡。平均正常和快速GS分别为1.08±0.27和1.41±0.39 m/s。较高的常规（HR 0.23, 95%CI 0.07-0.76）或快速GS （HR 0.36, 95%CI 0.14-0.91）与较低的死亡率相关。患者常、快GS 1 m/s。调整治疗后，第25百分位组与死亡率的相关性减弱（HR 2.07, 95%CI 0.91-4.73）。GS储备和GS比率与死亡率无关。讨论：较低的正常和快速的步态速度与头颈癌患者较高的一年死亡率相关。一个简单的指导方针是，患者通常和快速GS

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of geriatric oncology ONCOLOGY-GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

10.00%

发文量

379

审稿时长

80 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Geriatric Oncology is an international, multidisciplinary journal which is focused on advancing research in the treatment and survivorship issues of older adults with cancer, as well as literature relevant to education and policy development in geriatric oncology. The journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts in the following categories: • Original research articles • Review articles • Clinical trials • Education and training articles • Short communications • Perspectives • Meeting reports • Letters to the Editor.