Ness et al identified physiologic markers in adult survivors of a childhood cancer associated with premature frailty. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from additional interventions. The authors are from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Patient selection: history of childhood cancer, >= 10 years from the initial diagnosis
Parameters (physiologc markers):
(1) muscle mass
(2) self-reported exhaustion
(3) energy expenditure
(4) walking speed
(5) weakness
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
muscle mass |
normal or high |
0 |
|
|
low |
1 |
|
self-reported exhaustion |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
energy expenditure |
normal or high |
0 |
|
|
low |
1 |
|
walking speed |
normal or rapid |
0 |
|
|
slow |
1 |
|
weakness |
absent |
0 |
|
|
present |
1 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 5
• The higher the score the greater the level of “frailty” (accelerated aging).
• Females are more likely to be affected than males (45% prefrail or frail vs 16%).
|
Score |
Interpretation |
|
0 or 1 |
not frail |
|
2 |
prefrailty |
|
3 to 5 |
frailty |
Purpose: To identify an adult survivor of a childhood cancer showing evidence of premature frailty using the criteria of Ness et al.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hematology Oncology
Objective: other testing, complications
ICD-10: R54, Z85,
