Frailty and Health-related Quality of Life in Older Women With Breast Carcinoma

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexFemale
Age60+
SponsorAin Shams University

About this trial

This study addresses a critical gap in the care of older women with breast cancer, a population often underrepresented in clinical research despite their increased vulnerability to treatment-related complications. By examining the relationship between frailty and health-related quality of life (QOL), the study aims to provide evidence-based insights into how geriatric assessments can guide personalized treatment decisions, ensuring that therapeutic benefits outweigh risks. Given that older adults prioritize QOL over survival gains, understanding the impact of frailty on their well-being can help clinicians optimize care plans, reduce adverse outcomes, and improve overall patient-centered outcomes. The findings may also inform the integration of routine geriatric assessments in oncology practice, ultimately enhancing the management of older cancer patients in resource-limited settings like Egypt.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Females aged 60 years and older

Newly diagnosed with pathologically proven breast invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma

Disqualifiers

History of cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorders

Delirium during assessment using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM test)

Initiation of chemotherapy before the baseline assessment

Severe hearing or visual impairment preventing completion of assessment

Trial population

older females; 60 years old or older, diagnosed with breast cancer before receiving chemotherapy will be recruited from the clinical oncology department, Ain Shams university hospitals.

Trial design

Design model

Cohort

Time perspective

Prospective

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Comprehensive geriatric assessment

    Other intervention

    Functional status will be evaluated using Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (assessing bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating, and continence; Katz, 1970) and Instrumental ADL (IADL) (assessing shopping, cooking, medication management, phone use, housework, laundry, transportation, and finances; Lawton \& Brody, 1969). Nutritional status will be measured via the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) (Arabic version; Abd-Al-Atty et al., 2012), a 6-item tool (appetite, weight loss, mobility, illness, neuropsychological issues, BMI) scored 0-14, classifying patients as well-nourished (≥12), at risk (8-11), or malnourished (0-7; Rubenstein et al., 2001). Cognition will be assessed using the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam (Arabic version; Abdelrahamn et al., 2014), a 30-point test evaluating calculation, orientation, memory, fluency, and visuospatial function, with dementia thresholds at \<20 (\<12 years education) or \<21 (≥12 years; Tariq et al., 2006).

  • European Organization for Research and Treatment-Quality of life questionnaire

    Other intervention

    Quality of life assessment by European Organization for Research and Treatment-Quality of life questionnaire and breast cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-C30)and QLQ-BR23) EORTC QLQ-C30 is a validated tool designed to measure cancer patients' physical, psychological and social functions. It consists of 30 items measuring Global Health status (2 items), Functional scales (15 items) and Symptoms scales/items (13 items). Items were measured using a 4-point Likert Scale ranging from Not at all (1) to Very much (4). EORTC-BR23 consists of 23 items which measure two main scales "Functional Scale (8 items) and "Symptoms scales (15 items). Items measured using 4-point Likert Scale ranging from Not at all (1) to Very much (4).

  • Clinical Frailty Scale

    Other intervention

    Frailty will be assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a validated and widely used tool developed by (Rockwood et al., 2005). The CFS is a 9-point ordinal scale that categorizes older adults based on their level of physical fitness, functional independence, and comorbidities, ranging from 1 indicate very fit to 9 indicate terminally ill. Participants were evaluated by trained clinicians based on their clinical judgment, incorporating information from patient interviews. The scale provides a practical and reliable measure of frailty in geriatric populations and has demonstrated strong predictive validity for adverse health outcomes including hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality.

Treatment groups

100 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: Females aged 60 years and older, who are newly diagnosed with pathologically proven breast inva3 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in the Quality of life measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 and 23.

Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) together with the Breast Cancer-Specific Module. Both instruments generate scores ranging from 0 to 100. For functional domains and global health status, higher scores indicate better quality of life, whereas for symptom domains, higher scores indicate more severe symptoms and worse outcomes at baseline and 6 months.

Time frame
6 months

Secondary outcomes

1

change in Frailty status as assessed by clinical frailty scale

Frailty assessed via Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) at baseline and 6 months. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a 9-point scale ranging from 1 (very fit) to 9 (terminally ill). Higher scores reflect increasing levels of frailty and are associated with poorer outcomes, while lower scores indicate better physical reserve and functional status.

Time frame
6 months

Other outcomes

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

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