FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS RISK FACTORS FOR HOSPITALIZATION IN OLDER CANCER PATIENTS: PROSPECTIVE COHORT WITH 747 PATIENTS

Background: With the aging of the population, cancer in the elderly is becoming an increasingly common and complex health problem, particularly in low-middle-income countries. In these settings, the comprehensive geriatric evaluation (CGA), although recommended, is still challenging. Certain components of CGA associated with the risk of early hospitalization in older cancer patients. Hospitalization is a serious adverse event in the older and can contribute by itself to increased vulnerability and death independently. Objective: To determine the functional factors of exercise for early hospitalization (up to 180 days) in elderly cancer patients. Method: prospective cohort study approved by the institutions ethics committee. Participants with a recent diagnosis of cancer were from eight community hospitals and one cancer center in Northeast Brazil and were recruited during their first medical appointment at the outpatient oncologic clinic. A basal CGA was done before the treatment decision (ADL, Charlson Comorbidity Index- CCI, Karnofsky Performance status KPS, GDS15, IPAQ, MMSE, MNA, MNA-SF, PS, PPS, Polipharmacy, QLQc30, TUG). During the follow up of six months, information about the treatments performed, the targeted interventions and early hospitalization was collected. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan Meier method, and survival curves were compared using the Log rank test for categorical variables. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to select early death risk factors. Results: From 2015-2017, 747 patients, mean age 71,27 ± 7,40 SD (range 60-96) 51,8% males were enrolled. The prevalence of early hospitalization was 34.7%. Risk of hospitalization up to 6 months (multivariate Cox regression model) wasBeing female increased the risk of hospitalization by 28% (HR 1.28, CI 1.01-1.65 p = 0.050), diagnosed metastasis at 94%(HR 1.94, CI 1.51-2.51, p < 0.001), and abnormal moderate to severe abnormal mobility by TUG 61% (HR 1.61 CI 1.51-2.51, p < 0.001) age-controlled at diagnosis and primary tumor site. Conclusion: The prevalence of risk of early hospitalization to older cancer patients is relevant and associated with gender, metastatic disease at diagnosis and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG): mobility.