Cognitive Impairment and Survival among Older Patients with Blood Cancer: A Study using MOCOA Test

As the population ages, it's becoming increasingly common for patients with cancer to experience cognitive impairment. Among older patients with blood cancer, little is known about how specific domains of cognitive impairment may be associated with survival. In a recent study published in 'journal name', researchers aimed to determine the prevalence of domain-specific cognitive impairment and its association with overall survival among older patients with blood cancer.

The study included 360 consecutive patients aged 75 years and older who presented for initial consultation at a large tertiary hospital in Boston, Massachusetts from February 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017. Participants underwent frailty assessment using the Fried frailty phenotype and Rockwood cumulative deficit model of frailty, as well as cognitive screening tests including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCOA) test, which assesses various aspects of cognition such as attention, memory, language, and visuospatial skills.

The MOCOA test is a widely used tool to detect cognitive impairment. In this study, participants were asked to score 1630 on the MOCOA test. The results showed that 341 out of those who completed both cognitive screening tests scored below 1630, indicating domain-specific cognitive impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairment varied across different domains, with attention and executive functioning being the most commonly affected.

The study found a significant association between cognitive impairment in specific domains and overall survival among older patients with blood cancer. Specifically, participants with impaired attention had a significantly shorter survival time compared to those without such impairment. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment may be an important predictor of mortality in this population.

This study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing cognitive impairment among older patients with blood cancer. Healthcare providers should consider using standardized cognitive assessment tools like the MOCOA test as part of routine care for these patients. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the association between cognitive impairment and survival, as well as to develop effective interventions to improve cognitive function and overall health outcomes in this population.

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the prevalence of domain-specific cognitive impairment among older patients with blood cancer and its significant association with overall survival. The findings underscore the need for further research on the relationship between cognitive impairment and mortality in this population, as well as the importance of incorporating cognitive assessment into routine care for these patients.

Scored 1630 on moca test