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// Grant R. Williams 1, 2 , Allison M. Deal 3 , Hyman B. Muss 2, 3 , Marc S. Weinberg 2 , Hanna K. Sanoff 2, 3 , Kirsten A. Nyrop 2, 3 , Mackenzi Pergolotti 2, 4 , Shlomit Strulov Shachar 2, 5 1 The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA 2 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 3 UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 4 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA 5 Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel Correspondence to: Grant R. Williams, email: gwillia@uab.edu Keywords: sarcopenia, myopenia, skeletal muscle index, cancer, geriatric oncology Received: December 28, 2016 Accepted: March 25, 2017 Published: April 05, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Skeletal muscle loss, commonly known as sarcopenia, is highly prevalent in older adults and linked with adverse outcomes in cancer, yet the definition and role of sarcopenia remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the association of Computerized Tomography (CT) assessed skeletal muscle measures with physical function in older adults with cancer. Results: CTs for 185 patients were available. Median age 73 (IQR 68–76) and 56.5% female. After controlling for sex and BMI, we found no evidence that SMI was associated with physical function impairments. Both SMD and SMG were associated physical function impairments and higher values were associated with decreased limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (RR 0.84 [CI 0.73–0.96] and 0.94 [CI 0.89–0.99], respectively), climbing stairs (RR 0.84 [CI 0.76–0.94] and 0.91 [CI 0.87–0.96]), walking 1 block (RR 0.77 [CI 0.67–0.90] and 0.91 [CI 0.85–0.97]), and prolonged Timed Up and Go (RR 0.83 [CI 0.75–0.92] and 0.92 [CI 0.88–0.96]). Materials and Methods: Using the Carolina Senior Registry, we identified patients with CT imaging performed within 60 days +/− of baseline geriatric assessment (GA). Skeletal muscle area and density (SMD) were analyzed from L3 lumbar segments. Muscle area and height (m 2 ) were used to calculate skeletal muscle index (SMI). Skeletal Muscle Gauge (SMG) was created by multiplying SMI x SMD. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle mass as assessed from CT imaging was not associated with physical function impairments. Skeletal muscle radiodensity was more associated with physical function and may aid in identifying older adults at risk for functional impairments.

Background: An objective measure is needed to identify frail older adults with cancer who are at increased risk for poor health outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to develop a frailty index from a cancer-specific geriatric assessment (GA) and evaluate its ability to predict all-cause mortality among older adults with cancer. Patients and Methods: Using a unique and novel data set that brings together GA data with cancer-specific and long-term mortality data, we developed the Carolina Frailty Index (CFI) from a cancer-specific GA based on the principles of deficit accumulation. CFI scores (range, 0-1) were categorized as robust (0-0.2), pre-frail (0.2-0.35), and frail (>0.35). The primary outcome for evaluating predictive validity was all-cause mortality. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to compare survival between frailty groups, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate associations. Results: In our sample of 546 older adults with cancer, the median age was 72 years, 72% were women, 85% were white, and 47% had a breast cancer diagnosis. Overall, 58% of patients were robust, 24% were pre-frail, and 18% were frail. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 72% in robust patients, 58% in pre-frail patients, and 34% in frail patients (log-rank test, P

Residents of assisted living (AL) communities are at high risk for falls, which result in negative outcomes and high health care costs. Adapting effective falls prevention programs for AL quality improvement (QI) has the potential to reduce falls, improve resident quality of life, and reduce costs. This project tested the feasibility and outcomes of an evidence-based multi-component QI program, the Assisted Living Falls Prevention and Monitoring Program (AL-FPMP). Resident posture and gait improved, likely due to exercise and/or physical therapy. Effective falls prevention QI programs can be implemented in AL, and are advised to (1) establish and maintain a falls team to create a culture focused on the reduction of falls risk; (2) teach staff to assess residents using the Morse Falls Scale to increase their awareness of residents' falls risk and improvement; and (3) modify existing exercise programs to address balance and lower body strength.

Purpose: Severe skeletal muscle (SM) loss (sarcopenia) is associated with poor cancer outcomes, including reduced survival and increased toxicity. This study investigates SM measures in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients receiving first-line taxane-based chemotherapy and evaluates associations with treatment toxicity and other outcomes. Experimental Design: Using computerized tomography (CT) images taken for the evaluation of disease burden, skeletal muscle area (SMA), and density (SMD) were measured at the third lumbar vertebrae. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index (SMI = SMA/height2) ≤ 41. Skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) was created by multiplying SMI × SMD. Fisher exact tests, t tests, the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox regression modeling were used. Results: MBC patients (N = 40), median age 55 (range, 34–80), 58% sarcopenic, median SMG 1296 AU (SD, 522). Grade 3–4 toxicity was found in 57% of sarcopenic versus 18% of non-sarcopenic patients (P = 0.02). Toxicity-related hospitalizations were also higher in sarcopenic patients (39% vs. 0%, P = 0.005) as were any adverse events—defined as any grade 3–4 toxicities, hospitalizations, dose reductions, or dose delay—(74% vs. 35%, P = 0.02). Low SMG was associated with grade 3–4 toxicity (P = 0.04), hospitalization (P = 0.01), and time to treatment failure (for progression or toxicity; P = 0.03). Low SMG had a borderline significant association with any adverse event (P = 0.06) and overall survival (P = 0.07). Conclusions: SM measures are associated with toxicity outcomes and survival in MBC patients receiving first-line taxane-based chemotherapy. Further studies are needed to explore how routinely obtained CT scans can be used to individualize dosing and improve treatment planning. Clin Cancer Res; 23(3); 658–65. ©2016 AACR.

Older women experience a large share of breast cancer incidence and death. With the projected rise in the number of older cancer patients, adjuvant chemo-, radiation and endocrine therapy management will become a key component of breast cancer treatment in older women. Many factors influence adjuvant treatment decisions including patient preferences, life expectancy and tumor biology. Geriatric assessment predicts important outcomes, identifies key deficits, and can aid in the decision making process. This review utilizes clinical vignettes to illustrate core principles in adjuvant management of breast cancer in older women and suggests an approach incorporating life expectancy and geriatric assessment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most frequently occurring musculoskeletal diseases, posing a significant public health problem due to its impact on pain and disability. Traditional risk factors fail to account for all of the risk observed for OA outcomes. In recent years, our view of disease causation has broadened to include health risks that are created by an individual’s socioeconomic circumstances. Early research into social determinants has focused on social position and explored factors related to the individual such as education, income and occupation. Results from these investigations suggest that low education attainment and nonprofessional occupation are associated with poorer arthritis outcomes. More recently, research has expanded to examine how one’s neighborhood socioeconomic environment may be relevant to OA outcomes. This narrative review proposes a framework to help guide our understanding of how social context may interact with pathophysiological processes and individual-level variables to influence health outcomes in those living with OA.

Objective: Explore physician perspectives on their involvement in fall prevention and monitoring for residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents. Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study; mailed questionnaire. Setting: Four RC/AL communities, North Carolina. Participants: Primary physicians for RC/AL residents. Measurements: Past Behavior and future Intentions of physicians with regard to (1) fall risk assessment and (2) collaboration with RC/AL staff to reduce falls and fall risks among RC/AL residents were explored using Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs. Predictor variables examined (1) physicians’ views on their own responsibilities (Attitude), (2) their views of expectations from important referent groups (Subjective Norms), and (3) perceived constraints on engaging in fall prevention and monitoring (Perceived Behavioral Control). Results: Physicians reported conducting fall risk assessments of 47% of RC/AL patients and collaborating with RC/AL staff to reduce fall risks for 36% of RC/AL patients (Behavior). These proportions increased to 75% and 62%, respectively, for future Intentions. TPB-based models explained approximately 60% of the variance in self-reported Behavior and Intentions. Physician’s involvement in fall prevention and monitoring was significantly associated (P

Objectives (1) Characterize physicians’ management practices for fecal incontinence (FI) among elderly patients, (2) describe physician perceptions of the quality of care for FI provided in nursing homes (NH), and (3) identify physician views and attributes associated with referral of elderly patients with FI to an NH. Design Cross-sectional. Setting United States. Participants Physician members of the American Geriatrics Society. Measurements Questionnaire pertaining to physician views on (1) their own FI management practices, (2) management of FI in NHs, and (3) referral of an elderly patient with FI to an NH. Results Of the respondents (n = 606), 54.1% reported screening for FI and 59.3% thought FI could be managed conservatively on an outpatient basis. Only 32.9% believed NHs provide good care for FI, and 27.1% believed NH care conditions exacerbate FI. Responding to a hypothetical vignette, 10.6% would probably or definitely refer an older adult patient with only FI to an NH, and 17.2% were uncertain about whether or not to refer. Logistic regression analysis identified physician characteristics associated with decreased likelihood of NH referral as the belief that FI can be managed conservatively, the belief that NHs provide poor care for FI, longer practice experience, and practicing in an academic medical center. Conclusion Most geriatricians believe FI can be managed conservatively and that NHs provide poor care for FI. These beliefs plus longer years of practice and practice in an academic setting decrease the likelihood of referral to NH for patients with FI.

Objective To conduct an exploratory evaluation of the impact of the Arthritis Foundation's evidence-based Walk With Ease (WWE) program on work place activity limitations of adults with self-reported or doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Methods WWE participants who were self-identified as “employed” completed the Workplace Activity Limitation Scale (WALS) at 6-week (postintervention; n = 94) and 1-year followup (n = 69). Paired t-tests were used to determine whether reduced work place limitations were reported at 6 weeks and maintained at 1-year followup. Results Participants were on average age 55 years, 88% women, and 61% white. The mean body mass index was 32 kg/m2, and 81% had more than a high school education. Overall WALS scores improved significantly from a mean ± SD of 6.7 ± 3.99 at baseline to 5.5 ± 4.20 at 6-week followup (P < 0.001, effect size 0.30). Improvements were maintained at 1-year followup, i.e., no change from 6-week followup (P = 0.87). Work place activities reported by participants as “some” or “a lot” of difficulty at baseline, i.e., “crouch/bend/kneel/work in awkward positions,” “stand for long periods,” and “lift/carry/move objects,” showed some of the highest improvements at 6 weeks. “Concentrate/keep your mind on the job” also improved significantly, although it was not rated as a substantial difficulty at baseline. Conclusion Our study provides encouraging evidence that WWE, a brief, low-cost, and easy-to-do community-based walking program, may provide both immediate and sustained benefits for people with self-reported arthritis who also report a range of work place limitations related to their arthritis symptoms.

To investigate physician perspectives on their own role and the role of residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) staff in fall prevention and monitoring among RC/AL residents.Exploratory cross-sectional study. Mailed questionnaire.RC/AL communities.Primary physicians (N = 36) for residents of 4 RC/AL communities in North Carolina.Theory of Planned Behavior constructs were used to measure physician attitudes, perceived expectations, and perceived barriers to conducting fall risk assessments, medication reviews for potential side effects related to falls, and working with RC/AL staff to reduce falls and fall risks among RC/AL residents.Physicians expressed strong support for conducting fall risk assessment of patients in RC/AL communities, believing that these assessments were likely to uncover risks that might be preventable; however, they reported conducting such assessments for only 47% of their RC/AL patients. They believed RC/AL staff had greater responsibility than they did for conducting these assessments, although they believed the staff had less expertise to do so. Further, they believed they were significantly (P.05) more likely than RC/AL staff to take specific actions to reduce fall risks among individual patients. Physicians supported working with RC/AL staff to reduce fall risks, but expressed concerns about the usefulness and amount of communications from RC/AL staff about residents identified at high risk for falls.This study provides the first data on physician perspectives on an important issue of quality care and quality of life in RC/AL communities-fall prevention and monitoring among RC/AL residents. Findings point to the need for greatly improved communications between primary physicians and RC/AL staff about residents at high risk for falls and responsibility for conducting fall risk assessments.

Purpose. This study presents group (instructor-led) and self-directed (nongroup) participant achievement of exercise objectives and satisfaction with the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease (WWE) program at 6 weeks postintervention and 1-year follow-up. Design. Secondary data analysis. Setting. Rural and urban counties in North Carolina. Subjects. Four hundred sixty-two adults with self-reported joint pain/stiffness or physician-diagnosed arthritis, age ≥ 18 years, no serious medical condition, no cognitive impairments, English speaking. Intervention. WWE is a 6-week community-based walking program offered in two formats—group and self-directed. Measures. Self-report measures collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 1 year. Analysis. Descriptive statistics, χ2 and t-tests. Results. Individuals self-selected either group (n = 192) or self-directed (n = 270) format. On average, participants were age 67, Caucasian (70%), and female (88%). Mean minutes per walk increased from 16.7 at baseline to 34.2 minutes at 1 year among group participants, and from 16.5 to 33.7 minutes among self-directed. At 1 year, 59.6% of group and 69.3% of self-directed participants reported continued walking (p = .06). Group participants were more likely than self-directed to do recommended stretching (p < .02) and warm-up/cool-down exercises (p < .01). Conclusion. Group and self-directed participants have similar self-reported walking outcomes but have some differences in their utilization of WWE recommendations.

544Background: Pt-reported outcomes reflect toxicity of anticancer drugs, and can be measured using “moderate, severe or very severe” ratings (MSVS) that mirror physician-assessed CTCAE grades 2-4....

10037Background: This study’s purpose is to determine if an exercise intervention can decrease fatigue in older women receiving radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. Methods: A phase 2 randomized st...

10032Background: The widely studied inflammatory markers, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR), are associated with survival outcom...

e22045Background: Older cancer patients (pts) have a high burden of potentially modifiable baseline functional deficits and can accumulate new deficits while hospitalized. This may lead to disabili...

546Background: CRx completion is essential to Tx effectiveness and may depend on pt-reported toxicities rated “moderate, severe or very severe” (MSVS) that mirror physician-assessed CTCAE grades 2-...

Adding aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer significantly reduces cancer recurrence. A common side effect of AIs is noninflammatory joint pain and stiffness (arthralgia) similar to arthritis symptoms. An evidence-based walking program developed by the Arthritis Foundation - Walk With Ease (WWE) - reduces arthritis-related joint symptoms. We hypothesized that WWE may also reduce AI-associated arthralgia. However, the potential for different barriers and facilitators to physical activity for these 2 patient populations suggested a need to adapt WWE before testing it with breast cancer survivors. We conducted qualitative research with 46 breast cancer survivors to explore program modification and inform the development of materials for an adapted program (Walk With Ease-Breast Cancer). Our process parallels the National Cancer Institute's Research-Tested Intervention Programs (RTIPs) guidelines for adapting evidence-based programs for cancer populations. Findings resulted in a customized 8-page brochure to supplement existing WWE materials.

Objective Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. It is a common finding in older patients and is associated with decreased life expectancy and potentially higher susceptibility to chemotherapy toxicity. This study describes the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults with early stage colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods Patients ≥ 70 years old who underwent surgical resection for stage I–III colorectal cancer between 2008 and 2013 were identified from the medical record. Sarcopenia was assessed by measuring the total muscle area on computerized tomography (CT) images obtained prior to surgery. Total muscle area was measured at the level of L3 and normalized using each patient’s height to produce a skeletal muscle index (SMI). Sarcopenia was defined using sex- and body mass index (BMI)–specific threshold values of SMI. Results Eighty-seven patients were included, with a median age of 77 years (70–96). Twenty-five men (60% of 42) and 25 women (56% of 45) had sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients had significantly lower BMI ( p = 0.03) compared to non-sarcopenic patients. There was a positive correlation between BMI and SMI for both men ( r = 0.44) and women ( r = 0.16). Conclusion Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among older patients with early stage colorectal cancer. BMI alone is a poor indicator of lean body mass and improved methods of screening for sarcopenia are necessary. CT scans are a viable option for identifying sarcopenic patients in whom timely interventions may improve survival, quality of life, and functional outcomes.

In older adults, falls are a common cause of functional decline, institutionalization, and reduced quality of life. This study (1) investigates the prevalence of falls in a large sample of community-dwelling older adults with a cancer diagnosis and (2) evaluates the association of falls with domains of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) that pertain to falls risk.Patients completed a CGA that includes a self-reported measure of number of falls in the past 6 months. Summary statistics are used to describe prevalence of falls and associations with hypothesized risk factors using Fisher's exact tests and multivariable logistic regression.A total of 1172 patients were enrolled, mean age 73 (65-99), 74 % female, and 89 % Caucasian. Two hundred fifty-six (22 %) reported one or more falls within the last 6 months. Patients with at least one instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) or physical function deficit had more falls as compared those with no deficits identified (p ≤ 0.001). The number of daily medications, comorbidities, Timed Up and Go score14 s, and poor vision were also associated with increased falls (p ≤ 0.001). Reduced physical function, poor vision, and low performance status had the highest adjusted odds ratio (3.6, 3.4, and 3.0, respectively) for falls.There is a high prevalence of falls in community-dwelling older patients with a cancer diagnosis. Falls are significantly associated with several measures of geriatric assessment including IADL, physical function, comorbidities, medications, and vision. Timely identification and management of risk factors for falls are important considerations in the care of older cancer patients.

10060 Background: Age-related accumulation of senescent cells plays a causal role in some aspects of mammalian aging. We have shown that the total-body burden of senescent cells can be estimated by measuring the expression of the p16 tumor suppressor, a canonical effector of senescence, in human CD3+ PBTC (Liu et al, Aging Cell, 2009). Expression of p16 increases more than 10-fold over an adult human lifespan, and this rate of accumulation is accelerated by age-promoting exposures such as CRx or stem cell transplant (Sanoff et al, JNCI 2014; Wood et al, EbioMed 2016). Increased molecular age as evidenced by increased expression of p16 prior to CRx predicts a patient’s risk of CRx toxicity independently of chronological age (DeMaria et al, Cancer Discovery, 2017).This study investigates the impact of different types of CRx (A vs NoA) regimens on PBTC p16expression in pts with EBC. Methods: EBC pts who received neoAdj or Adj CRx had blood samples drawn for p16 assay prior to CRx initiation and again between 2 months and 1.5 years after the end of CRx. Expression of p16 mRNA in PBTC was determined using TaqMan real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. T-test compared p16change between A and NA groups. Results: 70 pts were evaluable. Pt. characteristics: median age 49 (range 32-76); 52 (74%) White, 14 (20%) black, 4 unknown; 39 (56%) ER or PR+ and HER2 neg, 18 (26%) triple negative, 13 (19%) HER-2 pos (all received trastuzumab). 53 pts (76%) had A (47 AC + taxane, 6 AC no taxane) and 17 (24%) NoA (all TC). Expression of p16 increased 2.0-fold in patients who received A-based CRx compared to 1.2-fold in NoA CRx (p = 0.04). There was no relationship of race, ER, PR or HER-2 status on change in p16expression. Conclusions: This study is ongoing and further results will be presented at the ASCO meeting. In this sample of EBC patients treated with A vs. NoA CRx regimens, A-based CRx is more strongly associated with increased biologic aging of T-cells compared to NoA CRx. These changes are equivalent of increased biologic aging of PBTC of 11 years (A) vs.6 years (NoA) and may have major consequences on the long-term survival of these pts.

e21707 Background: There is growing evidence in oncology that skeletal muscle (SM) loss, known as sarcopenia, can be identified from routine computed tomography (CT) imaging and used to predict increased chemotherapy toxicity, mortality, and other adverse clinical outcomes (Shachar-EJC, 2016, Shachar-CCR, 2016). The contributions of age-related and cancer-related loses in SM at diagnosis remains poorly understood. This study compares CT-derived measures of SM at the time of diagnosis in patients with early BC (EBC) versus metastatic BC (MBC) patients to investigate the impact of metastatic cancer on SM. Methods: Body composition measures were compared between patients with EBC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and MBC initiating first line palliative chemotherapy. Measures were derived from analysis CT scans of L3 lumbar segments using radiological software (ABACS). Measures include: skeletal muscle area (SMA), density (SMD), index (SMI = SMA/height ^2), and integrated density (SMID = SMI x SMD). Sarcopenia was defined as SMI < 41(Martin-JCO, 2013). Lean body mass (LBM) was calculated (kg) = [(L3 Muscle measured by CT (cm2) × 0.3) + 6.06]) (Prado-CCR, 2009). Body surface area (BSA) was calculated using the Mosteller formula. T-tests (continuous) and Chi-squared tests (categorical) compared variables between groups; multivariable linear regression models controlled for age and body mass index (BMI). Results: MBC patients (n = 40) were older than EBC (n = 151) (56 vs 49 years, p < 0.001). Mean BMI and BSA were similar in both groups (29.0 vs 28.8, p = 0.84; 1.87 vs 1.86 m2, p = 0.55). After adjusting for age and BMI, SMI (41.3 vs 44.7 cm2/m2, p = 0.009), SMD (29.8 vs 36.4 Hounsfield Units, p < 0.0001), SMG (1250 vs 1612, p < 0.0001), and LBM (39.3 vs 41.9 kg, p = 0.024) were significantly lower in the MBC group. The MBC group included significantly more sarcopenic patients (58% vs 31%, p = 0.0016). Conclusions: Although BMI and BSA were similar in EBC and MBC patients, SM measures showed significant differences. MBCs had lower LBM, SMI, and SMD. More advanced BC was associated with higher proportions of sarcopenia. Further research is needed to explore interventions in sarcopenic patients in order improve outcomes in women with both EBC and MBC.

e12069 Background: Obesity and weight gain in breast cancer survivors (BCS) can impact prognosis, survival, and quality of life. Women who were premenopausal (PreBCS) or postmenopausal (PostBCS) at BC diagnosis are compared regarding weight change during the first 2 years of endocrine treatment (ET) and factors associated with > 2kg weight gain. Methods: Data were gathered by retrospective chart review, with weights assessed by nursing staff during routine clinic visits. Chi-squared and t-tests were used to compare PostBCS and PreBCS characteristics, and log-binomial regression models to evaluate factors associated with > 2kg weight gain. Results: In a final sample of N = 447 BCS, 33% were PreBCS (mean age 44) and 67% were PostBCS (mean age 65). PreBCS had lower BMI at diagnosis (p = 0.003), lower proportion of white (p = 0.04), fewer comorbidities (p < 0.0001); higher stage (p < 0.0001), grade (p = 0.008), node positive (p < 0.0001), PR positive (p = 0.03), and HER2 positive (p = 0.03) BC tumors; higher proportion of mastectomies (p < 0.0001), axillary node dissection (p = 0.005), chemotherapy (p < 0.0001), radiation treatment (p = 0.009), and Tamoxifen use (p < 0.0001); and less weight loss between diagnosis and start of ET (p = 0.013). After 2 years of ET, 48% of PreBCS and 39% of PostBCS had gained > 2kg (p = 0.08). In univariate analysis, factors associated with > 2kg weight gain were: weight loss between BC diagnosis and ET start (p < .0001), lower age at start of ET (p = .002), higher tumor size (p = .003), increasing stage (p < .0001), mastectomy (p = .0002), axillary node dissection (p = .005), positive nodal status (p = 0.0003), and chemotherapy (p < .0001). In multivariable analysis controlling for covariates that differed between PreBCS/PostBCS, only weight change between BC diagnosis and ET start was associated with > 2kg weight gain (p = 0.0005). Conclusions: In our sample, neither menopausal status nor type of ET was significantly associated with weight gain during ET. Our research suggests that BC survivors with higher risk tumors and associated treatments may experience higher weight gain during ET and warrant weight management counseling.

Purpose Although many treatment guidelines exist for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), uptake in clinical practice is typically low. Valid patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) that can be easily used in the clinic could aid implementation and evaluation of treatment recommendations, and the tracking of symptoms and function over time. This project responded to a 2012 Call to Action of the Chronic Osteoarthritis Management Initiative of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative; we aimed to develop a tiered list of recommended PROs that could be feasibly applied in common clinical settings, across four domains of pain, function, fatigue, and sleep. Methods PROs were identified through a focused literature review. Clinicians and researchers with OA expertise evaluated each measure׳s feasibility for use in routine clinical practice, followed by meaningfulness in assessing OA outcomes. Eligible PROs were categorized by domain and ranked into Tiers One (very brief measures for initial use in clinical settings), Two (brief measures with more in-depth assessment), and Three (most detailed assessment). Results Total PROs identified were 172 for pain, 160 for function, 55 for fatigue, and 60 for sleep. Of these, 9 pain, 7 function, 7 fatigue, and 8 sleep PROs were ranked into one of three tiers. Conclusions This three-tiered list of recommended PROs provides a basis for tools to systematically track outcomes, facilitate provider–patient dialog, and guide treatment for hip or knee OA. Research is needed to test the utility and feasibility of systematic implementation of these measures in primary care and specialty clinical settings.

National guidelines suggest that women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer be considered for adjuvant endocrine treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Joint symptoms (arthralgia) are a common AI side-effect. There is a need for effective approaches to arthralgia management that enable survivors to remain on AI therapy while optimizing as pain-free a life as possible. This feasibility study investigates a 6-week self-directed walking program in a sample of elderly female breast cancer survivors on AIs reporting joint pain.Walk With Ease (WWE) goal--minimum 30 min of walking 5 days a week (150 min per week). Eligibility: age65; Stage I-III breast cancer; ≥3 months of AI therapy; self-reported joint pain/stiffness.(1) walking--number of days/week and number of minutes/walk, (2) visual analog scales (VAS) for joint pain, fatigue and stiffness, and (3) arthritis self-efficacy (ASE) to manage joint pain and fatigue.t-tests, correlation coefficients and effect sizes.Sample target of 20 was achieved--mean age 71 (65-87), 85% Caucasian, mean BMI 29. Proportion walking 150 min/week increased from 21% at baseline to 50% at 6 weeks (p0.001). Mean joint pain at baseline (39.7 + 26.9) decreased 10% (p = 0.63), fatigue (37.4+33.3) decreased 19% (p = 0.31), joint stiffness (46.1 + 27.2) decreased 32% (p = 0.07).A self-directed walking program among elderly breast cancer survivors on AI therapy significantly increased total time of walking per week over a 6 week period. Joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue also decreased, although not significantly. Testing within a larger sample is warranted.

1021Background: Sarcopenia, or severe skeletal muscle loss, is associated with poor cancer outcomes including increased toxicity and reduced survival. This study investigates body composition indic...

e21581Background: We investigated weight change in postmenopausal Stage I-III breast cancer (BC) survivors on adjuvant endocrine treatment (ET) -- tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (AI) [anastrozol...

We examined the associations between frailty and inflammatory markers, in particular neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), in elderly cancer patients. We conducted cross-sectional analyses of data derived from the Carolina Seniors Registry (CSR), a database of geriatric assessments (GA) in older adults (≧65 years) with cancer. We included patients in the CSR who had a GA and complete blood count test before initiation of therapy. The primary outcome was frailty, determined using the 36-item Carolina Frailty Index (CFI). In our sample of 133 patients, the median age was 74, and 54% were robust, 22% were pre-frail, and 24% were frail. There was a significant positive correlation between CFI and NLR (r = 0.22, p = 0.025). In multivariable analysis, patients in the top tertile of NLR had an odds ratio of 3.8 (95% CI = 1.1-12.8) for frail/pre-frail status, adjusting for age, sex, race, education level, marital status, cancer type and stage. In bivariable analyses, higher NLR was associated with lower instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) score (p = 0.040) and prolonged timed up and go (p = 0.016). This study suggests an association between frailty and inflammation in older adults with cancer.

171 Background: National guidelines recommend that patients with a cancer diagnosis engage in regular physical activity (PA) to reduce cancer-related fatigue, maintain quality of life and physical function, and improve overall prognosis and survival. This study investigates oncology provider communications about PA during routine clinic visits with early stage breast, colon or prostate cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective chart review for documentation of communications (inquiries or recommendations) pertaining to PA in clinician notes and after visit patient summaries. Mixed methods analysis. Results: In a 1-month period, 55 oncology providers had 361 encounters (clinic visits) with early stage cancer patients. Of these encounters, 35% included a provider communication about “physical activity”, “exercise” or “activity”. Encounters with a medical oncologist resulted in a PA communication 55% of the time as compared to 20% of encounters with other clinician specialties (p < 0.0001). Older patients were more likely than younger patients to have a PA communication (p < 0.001). When the encounter was with a patient who was being seen for surveillance, chemotherapy or endocrine treatment, the rate of PA communications was significantly higher (46%, 37%, 58% respectively) as compared to when the visit was during radiation treatment or surgery (6%, 19% respectively) (p < 0.0001). Four PA themes emerged from our analysis of provider communications: (1) level and types of engagement in PA, (2) restrictions on PA either by the provider or perceived by patients, (3) encouragement or recommendations, or (4) relationships between PA and weight, nutrition, pain, and fatigue. There were no significant differences in PA communication rates by clinician gender, clinician training, patient gender, patient race, or disease site. Conclusions: This study shows it is feasible for oncology providers to have PA communications during routine clinic visits; however, the frequency of PA communications varies among providers. Interventions are needed to remind all oncology providers to encourage of their patients with early stage cancer to be physically active.

Summary Aim To provide estimates of actual costs to deliver health care to patients with functional bowel disorders, and to assess the cost impact of symptom severity, recency of onset, and satisfaction with treatment. Methods We enrolled 558 irritable bowel (IBS), 203 constipation, 243 diarrhoea and 348 abdominal pain patients from primary care and gastroenterology clinics at a health maintenance organization within weeks of a visit. Costs were extracted from administrative claims. Symptom severity, satisfaction with treatment and out-of-pocket expenses were assessed by questionnaires. Results Average age was 52 years, 27% were males, and 59% participated. Eighty percent were seen in primary care clinics. Mean annual direct health care costs were $5049 for IBS, $6140 for diarrhoea, $7522 for constipation and $7646 for abdominal pain. Annual out-of-pocket expenses averaged $406 for treatment of IBS symptoms, $294 for diarrhoea, $390 for constipation and $304 for abdominal pain. Lower gastrointestinal costs comprised 9% of total costs for IBS, 9% for diarrhoea, 6.5% for constipation and 9% for abdominal pain. In-patient care accounted for 17.5% of total costs (15.2% IBS). Conclusion Costs were affected by disease severity (increased), recent exacerbation of bowel symptoms (increased), and whether the patient was consulting for the first time (decreased).

9543 Background: National guidelines recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity for adults with a cancer diagnosis. Our study investigated the feasibility of a self-direct...

e11564 Background: Adjuvant endocrine treatment that includes an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is standard care for post-menopausal women with a diagnosis of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer (BC). Joint symptoms (pain, stiffness, achiness) are common side-effects of AIs, with an estimated prevalence of 33% to 74%. Joint pain is a barrier to engaging in national guidelines recommended levels of physical activity (PA) of 150 minutes/week; yet, engagement in PA is evidence-based for relieving joint symptoms among adults with arthritis. This study investigates eligibility for a PA intervention study among BC survivors who are reported to be taking an AI and are being seen in an oncology clinic. Methods: Review of 183 consecutive patients whose medical record reported being on AI therapy. Patients were queried to determine eligibility for a PA trial that required: (1) currently taking an AI, (2) experiencing joint symptoms, and (3) < 150 minutes/week of PA. Results: 8% percent (N=15) were excluded for not cu...