Abstract A017: Prevalence of impairments in geriatric assessment domains among older adults with ovarian cancer

Abstract Background: People aged 65+ with ovarian cancer face an elevated risk of mortality and treatment-related toxicity compared to younger patients. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends geriatric assessment (GA) – evaluation of functional status, falls, comorbidity, depression, nutritional status, and cognition – for all cancer patients aged 65+. However, the prevalence of impairments in these GA domains among older adults with ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. This study addresses this gap using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), Medicare, and Minimum Data Set (MDS) data. Methods: This study included 6,951 individuals diagnosed with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer at age 65+ between 1999-2019 in SEER-Medicare who had MDS assessments within one year after diagnosis. SEER includes cancer registry data, Medicare provides healthcare utilization, while MDS provides standardized assessments of physical and psychological function in nursing home residents. Functional status was assessed using a 28-point Activities of Daily Living scale, with scores ≥13 indicating impairment. Cognitive impairment was defined using the Cognitive Functioning Scale, and depression via the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item. Malnutrition was defined as ≥5% weight loss in the past month, ≥10% in the past six months, or a body mass index <21 kg/m2. Falls in the past six months were recorded as a binary outcome. High comorbidity was defined as Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3. The prevalence of impairments in GA domains was estimated overall and by age group (66–79 vs 80+). Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in prevalence by age group. Results: Among older adults with ovarian cancer, impairment prevalence in GA domains was high: 74% (95% confidence interval CI 73%-75%) for functional impairment, 34% (33%-35%) for high comorbidity, 18% (17%-19%) for falls, 17% (16%-18%) for malnutrition, 12% (11%-13%) for cognitive impairment and 6.3% (5.4%-7.3%) for depression. Compared to ovarian cancer patients aged 66-79, individuals aged 80+ had higher prevalence of functional impairment (77% vs 72%, p<0.001), falls (19% vs 16%, p<0.001), malnutrition (18% vs 15%, p=0.002), and cognitive impairment (15% vs 10%, p<0.001). No such differences were seen for depression (6.4% vs 6.2%, p = 0.90) and high comorbidity (33% vs 35%, p = 0.11). Conclusion: Impairments in GA domains, especially functional impairment, are highly prevalent among older adults with ovarian cancer, with the highest burden observed in those aged 80+. These descriptive findings highlight the potential value of integrating GA into oncology care to identify vulnerabilities and inform supportive interventions. Future research should investigate the impact of supportive strategies, such as physical or occupational therapy and nutritional counseling, on improving outcomes in this population. Citation Format: Minh Tung Phung, Bohyoon Lee, Lisa M. Barroilhet, Amy Trentham-Dietz, Neil Binkley, Britton Trabert, Ronald E. Gangnon. Prevalence of impairments in geriatric assessment domains among older adults with ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 19-21; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(18_Suppl):Abstract nr A017.