Activity of daily living problems in older cancer survivors: a population-based controlled study.

Abstract

The ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) is a crucial factor for independent functioning and living at home. This population-based cross-sectional study examines ADL problems in older cancer survivors compared with an age-matched cancer-free control group. According to both The Cancer Registry of Norway and self-report, 911 individuals > or =70 years had invasive cancer among the participants of The Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag County (HUNT-2) 1995-7. Three age- and gender-matched cancer-free controls for each cancer survivor were drawn from HUNT-2 (N = 2733). Personal- and Instrumental-ADL (P-ADL and I-ADL) problems were self-rated. P-ADL problems addressed activities such as personal hygiene, dressing and eating, while I-ADL problems concerned household activities, managing finances, shopping and administration of medication. Associations among relevant independent variables and P- and I-ADL problems were examined with both descriptive and multivariate statistics. P-ADL problems were present in 10% of the cancer survivors and 8% of the controls (P = 0.02). Correspondingly, 38% of the cancer survivors had I-ADL problems versus 32% of the controls (P < 0.001). Older cancer survivors with co-morbidity showed significantly higher rates of P-ADL and I-ADL problems compared with controls with co-morbidity (14% versus 9%, P = 0.01, and 47% versus 39%, P = 0.02). Cancer survivors with co-morbidity had significantly more P-ADL and I-ADL problems than survivors without co-morbidity (14% versus 8%, P = 0.01 and 47% versus 32%, P < 0.001). This study showed higher incidence of ADL problems among a population of older cancer survivors compared with cancer-free controls. Somatic co-morbidity further increased the prevalence of both P- and I-ADL problems in the cancer survivors. Primary healthcare providers should pay attention to and assess ADL problems in older cancer survivors.

• Authors: Ellen Karine Grov, Sophie D Fosså, Alv A Dahl
• Journal: Health & social care in the community (Health Soc Care Community) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 396-406 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1365-2524 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20491969 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adaptation, Psychological
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aging
• Anxiety
• Body Mass Index
• Case-Control Studies
• Comorbidity
• Confidence Intervals
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Depression
• Female
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Life Style
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Multivariate Analysis
• Neoplasms (complications, mortality, psychology)
• Norway
• Odds Ratio
• Prevalence
• Stress, Psychological
• Survivors