Serial frailty assessments following allogeneic stem cell transplant in older adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing numbers of older adults undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) as the only chance of meaningful survival for hematologic malignancies. However, toxicities in vulnerable patients may offset the benefits of SCT. Frailty and abnormal geriatric assessment (GA) prior to SCT have been associated with decreased overall survival in persons aged 60 and older. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of baseline GA deficits and frailty, the prevalence of frailty or death at three and six months after allogeneic SCT, and associations between baseline assessments and the presence of frailty or death post-SCT.

Methods: We enrolled 50 patients aged 60 years and older and completed a baseline GA including comorbidity, polypharmacy, nutrition, physical performance, functional status, social support, depression and anxiety, and cognition. Frailty was defined as three or more abnormalities of gait speed, grip strength, weight loss, physical activity, and exhaustion, and was assessed at baseline, three months, and six months after SCT. A composite outcome of frailty or death at three months and six months was analyzed.

Results: Frailty was present in 11/50 (22%) of patients at baseline. Ten patients did not complete three- month follow-up, and twelve patients did not complete six-month follow-up. Of those with follow-up data, 22 patients (55%) were frail or deceased three months after SCT, and 27 patients (71%) were frail or deceased six months after SCT. Frailty at baseline was not significantly associated with frailty or death at three or six months after SCT. However, the study's small enrollment limits conclusions on these associations.

Conclusion: GA deficits and frailty are prevalent in older adult SCT recipients at baseline and after transplant. Future studies should aim for larger enrollment in order to validate associations between these deficits and outcomes, especially survival, functional status, and quality of life following SCT.

Keywords: Elderly; Frail; Geriatric assessment; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.