Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia

Mackenzie, P; Vajdic, C; Delaney, G; Gabriel, G; Agar, M; Comans, T; Barton, M

Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia

Mackenzie, P Vajdic, C Delaney, G Gabriel, G Agar, M

Comans, T Barton, M

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 2020, 16, pp. 17-23
Issue Date:: 2020-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mackenzie, P
dc.contributor.author	Vajdic, C
dc.contributor.author	Delaney, G
dc.contributor.author	Gabriel, G
dc.contributor.author	Agar, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6756-6119
dc.contributor.author	Comans, T
dc.contributor.author	Barton, M
dc.date.accessioned	2020-11-24T00:57:57Z
dc.date.available	2020-11-24T00:57:57Z
dc.date.issued	2020-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 2020, 16, pp. 17-23
dc.identifier.issn	2405-6324
dc.identifier.issn	2405-6324
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144277
dc.description.abstract	© 2020 Background and Purpose: Large non-age-specific radiotherapy utilisation rate (RTU) studies have demonstrated that actual RTU is below the optimal recommended utilisation rate for both curative and palliative intent radiotherapy indications. The optimal utilisation rate for the geriatric oncology cohort of patients has not yet been determined. The purpose of this research was to examine the actual RTU for patients treated in New South Wales (NSW), Australia as a function of increasing age, and the relationship between RTU and tumour site, travelling distance and socio-economic status. Materials & Methods: NSW Central Cancer Registry data (2009–2011) were linked to the NSW Radiotherapy Dataset (2009–2012). RTU was calculated for patients aged <80 years and ≥80 years. RTU was defined as the proportion of patients receiving at least a single course of radiotherapy within 12 months of a cancer diagnosis. Results: 110,645 patients were diagnosed with cancer, of whom 27,721 received at least one course of radiotherapy. The overall RTU was 25%. RTU for patients aged <80 years was 28% compared to 14% for patients aged 80+ years (p < 0.001). On both univariate and multivariate analysis, increasing age, residential address in disadvantaged socioeconomic areas and increasing distance to the nearest radiotherapy department were associated with a reduction in RTU. Conclusion: Geriatric oncology patients are less likely to receive radiotherapy than their younger counterparts. Some of the reduction in RTU may be justifiable on the basis of limited life expectancy and co-morbidity. Further research is required to determine the co-morbidity adjusted optimal RTU in older patients.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.tipsro.2020.09.003
dc.rights	Elsevier required licence: © 2020 . This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. The definitive publisher version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2020.09.003	en_US
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	16
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-11-24T00:57:53Z
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	16

Abstract:

© 2020 Background and Purpose: Large non-age-specific radiotherapy utilisation rate (RTU) studies have demonstrated that actual RTU is below the optimal recommended utilisation rate for both curative and palliative intent radiotherapy indications. The optimal utilisation rate for the geriatric oncology cohort of patients has not yet been determined. The purpose of this research was to examine the actual RTU for patients treated in New South Wales (NSW), Australia as a function of increasing age, and the relationship between RTU and tumour site, travelling distance and socio-economic status. Materials & Methods: NSW Central Cancer Registry data (2009–2011) were linked to the NSW Radiotherapy Dataset (2009–2012). RTU was calculated for patients aged <80 years and ≥80 years. RTU was defined as the proportion of patients receiving at least a single course of radiotherapy within 12 months of a cancer diagnosis. Results: 110,645 patients were diagnosed with cancer, of whom 27,721 received at least one course of radiotherapy. The overall RTU was 25%. RTU for patients aged <80 years was 28% compared to 14% for patients aged 80+ years (p < 0.001). On both univariate and multivariate analysis, increasing age, residential address in disadvantaged socioeconomic areas and increasing distance to the nearest radiotherapy department were associated with a reduction in RTU. Conclusion: Geriatric oncology patients are less likely to receive radiotherapy than their younger counterparts. Some of the reduction in RTU may be justifiable on the basis of limited life expectancy and co-morbidity. Further research is required to determine the co-morbidity adjusted optimal RTU in older patients.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144277