Perez-Cruz PE, et al. - This study aimed to assess patient characteristics at enrollment associated with attrition in palliative oncology outpatient setting. Researchers recognized that advanced cancer patients [ACP] with cognitive failure, increased physical symptoms, poorer performance status and shorter duration from cancer diagnosis more frequently dropped out.

Methods

• Researchers, in this longitudinal observational study, assessed advanced cancer patients [ACP] enrolled in an outpatient multicenter study at baseline and 2-5 weeks later.
• Baseline characteristics between patients who returned for follow-up and those who dropped out were compared.

Results

• From Jordan, Brazil, Chile, Korea and India, 744 patients were enrolled.
• Attrition rate was 33%, this varied among countries; , (22%-39%; p=.023).
• Univariate analysis suggested that baseline predictors for attrition were cognitive failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.23 per point in Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale; p < .01), functional status (OR 1.55 per 10 point decrease in Karnofsky Performance Status; p < .01), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS] physical score (OR 1.03 per point; p < .01), ESAS emotional score (OR 1.05 per point; p < .01) and shorter duration between cancer diagnosis and palliative care referral in months (OR .89 per log; p=.028).
• Multivariate analysis suggested that cognitive failure (OR 1.12 per point; p=.007), ESAS physical score (OR 1.18 per point; p=.027), functional status (OR 1.35 per 10 point decrease; p < .001) and shorter duration from cancer diagnosis (OR .86 per log; p=.01) continued to be independent predictors of attrition.