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. 2023 Sep;12(18):19102-19111.
doi: 10.1002/cam4.6477. Epub 2023 Aug 30.

Association of emotional support with quality of life, mental health, and survival in older adults with gastrointestinal malignancies-Results from the CARE registry

Daniel Clausing  1 , Mackenzie E Fowler  1 , Christian Harmon  2 , Abigail Tucker  2 , Darryl Outlaw  1   3 , Mehmet Akce  1   3 , Bassel El-Rayes  1   3 , Smith Giri  1   2   3 , Grant R Williams  1   2   3
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Association of emotional support with quality of life, mental health, and survival in older adults with gastrointestinal malignancies-Results from the CARE registry

Daniel Clausing et al. Cancer Med. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Emotional support (ES) is the most frequently reported support need among older adults with cancer. Yet, the association of ES with cancer outcomes is largely unknown. This study examined the association of ES with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mental health, and survival among older adults with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.

Methods: We included newly diagnosed older adults (≥60 years) with GI cancer undergoing self-reported geriatric assessment at their first clinic visit. ES was measured using an adaptation of the Medical Outcomes Study (dichotomized adequate ES vs. inadequate ES). Outcomes included physical and mental HRQoL, anxiety, depression, and survival. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the association between ES and HRQoL scores. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association of ES with anxiety and depression. All models were adjusted for age at geriatric assessments, race, sex, and cancer type/stage.

Results: 795 participants were included. Median patient age was 68 years (IQR: 64-74), 58% were male, and most cancers were either colorectal (37.9%) or pancreatic (30.8%). Most (77.6%) had adequate ES. Patients with inadequate ES were more likely to be Black (31.5 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.005), disabled (24.1 vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001), widowed/divorced (54.2 vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001) and had lower physical and mental HRQoL t-scores (Physical β: -3.35, 95% CI: -5.25, -1.46; Mental β: -2.46, 95% CI: -4.11, -0.81) and higher odds of depression (aOR: 2.22, CI: 1.34-3.69). This study found no difference between those with adequate ES versus inadequate ES in the proportion of deaths within 1 year of diagnosis (24.3% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.966), or within 2 years of diagnosis (32.4% vs. 33.2%, p = 0.126).

Conclusions: Older adults with inadequate ES have worse physical and mental HRQoL and higher odds of depression compared to those with adequate ES.

Keywords: aging; cancer; emotional support; geriatric oncology; health-related quality of life.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Consort diagram of study cohort.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Frequency of particular responses to emotional support questions.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Two‐year Kaplan–Meier survival curve comparison with adequate versus low emotional support.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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