Characteristics of patients with cancer in European long-term care facilities

Purpose Up to 26% of residents in nursing homes (NHs) are affected by cancer. Their care represents a challenge, because NHs are not usually considered a setting focused on oncologic management and care. The aim of this paper is to describe socio-demographic and clinical features of patients with cancer residing in European NHs. Methods Cross-sectional study based on data from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care (SHELTER) study. Participants were assessed through the interRAI-LTCF, which includes cancer assessment. Results Among 4140 participants (mean age 83.4 years; female 73%), 442 (10.7%) had cancer. Patients with cancer had a higher prevalence of do-not-resuscitate directives compared to those without cancer (21.1% vs 16.5%, p = 0.019). Variables directly associated with cancer were male sex (adj OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.36-2.05), pain (adj OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16-1.77), fatigue (adj OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.55), polypharmacy (adj OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.21-2.08) and falls (adj OR. 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.67). Dementia was inversely associated with cancer (adj OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94). Symptomatic drugs such as opioids (23.5% vs 12.2, p < .001), NSAIDS (7.2% vs 3.9%, p = 0.001), antidepressants (39.1% vs 33.8%, p = 0.026) and benzodiazepines (40.3% vs 34.3, p = 0.012) were all prescribed more in participants with cancer compared to those without cancer. Conclusions Cancer patients are prevalent in European NHs and they show peculiar characteristics. Studies are needed to evaluate the impact of a supportive care approach on the management of NHs residents with cancer throughout all its phases, until the end-of-life care

Automated summary

Up to 26% of residents in European nursing homes are affected by cancer, presenting a unique set of characteristics. Further studies are required to assess the impact of a supportive care approach on cancer patients in nursing homes throughout all stages of care.