Performance of the Vulnerable Elders Survey 13 screening tool in identifying cancer treatment modification after geriatric assessment in pre-treatment patients: A retrospective analysis.

Purpose: Geriatric assessment (GA) is recommended for older adults ≥ 70 years with cancer to guide treatment selection. Screening tools such as the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) and G6 have been used to identify patients at highest need of GA. Whether either tool predicts a change in oncologic treatment following GA is unclear.

Methods: Patients attending a geriatric oncology clinic between July 2015 and June 2017 who completed a VES-13 and underwent subsequent GA were included. Clinical information was extracted from a prospectively maintained database. G6 scores were assigned retrospectively. Patients were stratified into those who were "VES-13 positive" (score ≥ 3) and "VES-13 negative" (score < 3). Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between VES-13 score, G6 score, and treatment modification.

Results: Ninety-nine patients were seen prior to initiating cancer treatment. The median VES-13 score was 7; with 81.8% of patients scoring ≥3. The treatment plan was modified in 47.5% of patients after GA. VES-13 score was predictive of treatment plan modification (63.0% among VES-13 positive versus 16.7% among VES-13 negative patients; p = 0.001). G6 performed similarly to the VES-13. The only statistically significant predictor of treatment change in multivariable analysis was performance status.

Conclusion: VES-13 positive patients are more likely to undergo treatment modification to reduce treatment intensity or supportive care only. The VES-13 may provide oncologists with a rapid, reliable way of identifying vulnerability in older adults with cancer who may need further GA prior to commencing cancer treatment.