Are Disagreements in Caregiver and Patient Assessment of Patient Health Associated with Increased Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Older Adults with Cancer?

Background: As patients age, caregivers increasingly provide essential support and patient information. We sought to determine if patient-caregiver assessments of patient health differ and if differences contribute to burden in caregivers of older adults with cancer.

Materials And Methods: One hundred patients, aged ≥65, and their caregivers independently assessed patient function, comorbidity, nutrition, social activity, social support, and mental health.

Age-related changes in nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: influence of chronological versus functional age.

Purpose: This study evaluated age-related changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods: Forty patients received nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m(2) weekly for 3 weeks followed by a 1-week break) as first- or second-line chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected for analysis, and response was assessed every two cycles.

The relationship between age, anxiety, and depression in older adults with cancer.

Objective: In older men with prostate cancer, aging is associated with reduced anxiety and increased depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among age, anxiety, and depression in a cohort of older adults receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study investigating chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: effect on chemotherapy-related toxicity and hospitalization during treatment.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and the association between these and chemotherapy-related adverse events in older adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Design: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Outpatient oncology clinics in seven academic medical centers.

Factors associated with high burden in caregivers of older adults with cancer.

Background: Older adults with cancer are vulnerable to functional decline, which places greater onus on caregivers. Few studies have prospectively examined burden in caregivers of older cancer patients. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with high caregiver burden.

The effect of aromatase inhibition on the cognitive function of older patients with breast cancer.

Introduction: This study evaluated the association between aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy and cognitive function (over a 6-month period) in a cohort of patients aged ≥ 60 years compared with an age-matched healthy control group, and it evaluated changes in regional cerebral metabolism as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) scans of the brain done in a subset of the patient cohort.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five patients (32 evaluable) and 35 healthy controls were recruited to this study. Patients with breast cancer completed a neuropsychological battery, self-reported memory questionnaire, and geriatric assessment before initiation of AI therapy and again 6 months later.

Toxicity of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy in older patients.

Background: Bevacizumab leads to improved survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when added to chemotherapy. Little is known about factors associated with receipt of bevacizumab, or whether bevacizamab is associated with increased toxicity when added to chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients aged ≥65 years, which evaluated the association between geriatric assessment (GA) metrics and chemotherapy toxicity.

Use of complementary medications among older adults with cancer.

Background: Little is known about complementary medication use among older adults with cancer, particularly those who are receiving chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of complementary medication use and to identify the factors associated with its use among older adults with cancer.

Methods: The prevalence of complementary medication use (defined as herbal agents, minerals, or other dietary supplements, excluding vitamins) was evaluated in a cohort of adults aged ≥65 years who were about to start chemotherapy for their cancer.

Predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer: a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: Older adults are vulnerable to chemotherapy toxicity; however, there are limited data to identify those at risk. The goals of this study are to identify risk factors for chemotherapy toxicity in older adults and develop a risk stratification schema for chemotherapy toxicity.

Patients And Methods: Patients age ≥ 65 years with cancer from seven institutions completed a prechemotherapy assessment that captured sociodemographics, tumor/treatment variables, laboratory test results, and geriatric assessment variables (function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status).