Background 

Cognitive impairment has a negative impact on older patients with cancer.

Objectives 

The aim of this study was to evaluate for interindividual differences in 2 subjective measures of cognitive function in older patients (n = 112), as well as determine which demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics, and levels of physical function, were associated with initial levels and with the trajectory of each of these 2 measures.

Methods 

Cognitive function was assessed using the cognitive function scale from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and the Attentional Function Index at the initiation of chemotherapy and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after its initiation. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess for interindividual differences in and characteristics associated with initial levels and changes in cognitive function.

Results 

Characteristics associated with decreases in Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 scores at the initiation of chemotherapy were longer time since the cancer diagnosis and higher depression scores. Characteristics associated with poorer Attentional Function Index scores at enrollment were lower levels of education and higher depression scores. No characteristics were associated with worse trajectories of either cognitive function measure.

Conclusion 

Some older patients undergoing chemotherapy experience decrements in cognitive function.

Implications for Practice 

Our findings suggest that clinicians need to assess for depressive symptoms in older patients before the initiation of chemotherapy. Evidence-based interventions (eg, cognitive stimulation, increased physical activity) can be recommended to maintain and increase cognitive function in older oncology patients.

中文翻译：

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老年人从开始化疗到接受化疗后 12 个月期间认知功能主观测量的变化

背景 

认知障碍对老年癌症患者有负面影响。

目标 

本研究的目的是评估老年患者（n = 112）认知功能的 2 项主观测量的个体间差异，并确定哪些人口统计学、临床和症状特征以及身体功能水平与初始认知功能相关。水平以及这两项措施中每一项的轨迹。

方法 

使用欧洲癌症研究和治疗组织生活质量问卷核心 30 的认知功能量表和化疗开始时以及化疗后 1、3、6、9 和 12 个月的注意力功能指数评估认知功能。引发。分层线性模型用于评估个体间差异以及与初始水平和认知功能变化相关的特征。

结果 

与化疗开始时生活质量问卷核心 30 评分下降相关的特征是癌症诊断后时间较长和抑郁评分较高。与入学时注意力功能指数得分较差相关的特征是教育水平较低和抑郁得分较高。没有任何特征与这两种认知功能测量的较差轨迹相关。

结论 

一些接受化疗的老年患者认知功能下降。

对实践的影响 

我们的研究结果表明，临床医生需要在开始化疗之前评估老年患者的抑郁症状。可以推荐基于证据的干预措施（例如认知刺激、增加体力活动）来维持和增强老年肿瘤患者的认知功能。