Comprehensive functional assessment in adults with lymphoma: A prospective observational cohort study.

346 Background: Findings from a comprehensive functional assessment (CA) in a cohort of adults with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Specifically, we evaluate the utility of the CA in identifying functional, cognitive, and other patient-reported characteristics prior to chemotherapy. Methods: Adults aged 18 and older with lymphoma including Hodgkin, aggressive B-cell NHL, indolent B-cell NHL (including CLL/SLL), or T-cell NHL were recruited to a prospective observational cohort study from 2018 through 2025 when starting a new line of therapy for either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory lymphoma. Study participants completed a CA based on a modified Cancer and Aging Research Group geriatric assessment (Hurria et al, Cancer 2025; mycarg.org/?page_id=4480). Initial assessments and questionnaires were performed at time of enrollment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for the full cohort and stratified by concurrent Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (score < 80 vs ≥ 80). The domains assessed by CA included number of medications taken daily, number of comorbidities, dependence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), Timed Up & Go (TUG), number of falls in the preceding 6 months, and presence of depression or anxiety via Mental Health Index-13. Results: Among 80 adults, the mean age was 57 years (range 22-84), 24% were aged ≥65 years, and 83% were white. 25% of the cohort had Hodgkin lymphoma, 46% had an aggressive B-cell NHL, 18% indolent B-cell NHL, and the remainder had T-cell NHL. In the full cohort, dependence in ≥1 instrumental activity of daily living was the most common area of impairment, observed in 31%, followed by ≥1 fall in the prior 6 months among 25% of the cohort (Table). The average number of medications and comorbidities per patient was 5 and 1.3, respectively. Although most of the cohort (91%) had a normal performance status (KPS ≥ 80), a majority of the cohort (51%) had multiple impairments identified on the CA, with a plurality (34%) having ≥ 3 impairments. Only 23% of the cohort had zero deficits identified. Conclusions: A modified CARG geriatric assessment demonstrated functional impairments even in patients considered to have a good performance status based on a KPS (≥ 80) and younger patients that would not be typically defined as “geriatric”. Future studies should focus on using CA measures to identify opportunities for targeting relevant supportive care interventions to patients. Considering the relatively young median age observed in this cohort, the current study highlights the potential utility for comprehensive assessment tools derived from the geriatrics literature to identify clinically relevant issues among younger as well as older adults with cancer. Domain Polypharmacy (>10) High Comorbidity (4+) IADL TUG Falls Weight Loss Mental Health Deficit Cognitive Impairment % of cohort 14 8 31 4 25 45 35 10