Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with A Hematologic Malignancy: Frailty, Urinary incontinence and Nutrition

The study aimed to evaluate geriatric hematology patients in terms of geriatric syndromes, to provide the most appropriate individualized care and practices in the treatment processes, to access sufficient information about the patient and to contribute to the literature that geriatric hematology patients may be in the risk group in terms of geriatric syndromes.

In the study, the data were evaluated with urinary incontinence severity scale, mini nutritional analysis, Edmonton Frailty scale and an introductory information form created by the researchers.

More than half of the geriatric individuals included in the study were diagnosed with leukemia. They had at least one chronic disease other than their hematological diseases, the average age was 70, more than half of them were frail, their MNA average was within the malnutrition risk limits, they were independent according to their average scores on Katz ADL. It was also determined that the participants were in the moderate incontinence range.

Elderly individuals with hematological malignancies should be considered for geriatric evaluation throughout treatment. Geriatric evaluation is important to prevent possible complications during treatment and improve quality of life.