Longitudinal Trajectories of Self-Reported Cognitive Function and Associated Factors Among Older Cancer Survivors

Cancer-associated cognitive decline may result in difficulties in maintaining daily life activities for older patients with cancer. It is, therefore, critical to identify changes in cognitive function throughout illness trajectories.

To determine the longitudinal patterns and factors associated with cognitive function among older cancer survivors.

A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2012 to 2020 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging database. A total of 207 cancer survivors aged 60 years and above were included in the analysis. Latent class growth modeling was employed to identify the trajectories of self-reported cognitive function, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with these trajectories.

The cognitive function of older adults with cancer was divided into 2 distinct trajectories, characterized by differences in intercept (8) and slope (0.7): the "low and declining class" and the "high and sustainable class." The proportion of individuals belonging to the "high and sustainable class" (n = 153, 73.9%) was significantly and considerably higher than those in the "low and declining class" (n = 54, 26.1%). Individuals with low and declining cognitive function were more likely to be older, have a lower education level, live in rural areas, have poor handgrip strength, experience depression, and have lower social participation compared to those with high and sustainable cognitive function.

Our findings can help health care professionals develop tailored interventions for older cancer survivors with low cognitive function based on their physical and mental health status, as well as their environmental backgrounds.