Measurement and impact of co-morbidity in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy. A phase II study of weekly paclitaxel

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Distribution of comorbidity according to several scores: (a) Charlson Index; (b) Kaplan-Feinstein index; (c) Cumulative Illness Rating Score (CIRS-G): total score.

Table I.  Patients' characteristics

Characteristic (n = 57)
Age
Median	74 years
Range	65–84
Gender
Male	51	89.5%
Female	6	10.5%
PS
1	22	38.5%
2	35	61.5%
Stage
IIIA	3	5%
IIIB	17	30%
IV	37	65%
Ca. Type
Squamous cell	31	54.4%
Adenocarcinoma	8	14%
Large cell	3	5.3%
NSCLC not otherwise specified	15	16.3%

Table II.  Prevalence of comorbidities in the study population (n = 57)

Variable	n	(%)
Decrease of bone marrow reserve^1	34	(48)
Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease	20	(28)
Oxygen supplementation at home	2	(2.8)
Diabetes	9	(12.6)
Malnutrition	11	(15.5)
Alcohol abuse	11	(15.5)
Impairment of renal function	12	(17)
History of other tumors	5	(7)
Hypertension	5	(7)
Peptic ulcer	3	(4.2)
Chronic hepatic disease	7	(10)
Ischemic heart disease or heart rhythm disturbance	5	(7)
Dementia	2	(2.8)
Parkinson	2	(2.8)
Peripheral vasculopathy	3	(4.2)

¹Defined as Hb ≤ 12.5 g/dl, platelets ≤ 100 000/µl, or neutrophils ≤ 2 000/µl.

Figure 2.  Overall survival (n = 57 patients)

Table III.  Toxicities observed during treatment (National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria)

Toxicity	Grade 1 n (%)	Grade 2 n (%)	Grade 3 n (%)	Grade 4 n (%)
Hemoglobin	19 (33.3)	2 (3.5)	1 (1.8)	0
Neutrophils	3 (7.5)	0	0	1 (1.8)
Platelets	0	2 (3.5)	1 (1.8)	0
Nausea	5 (8.8)	1 (1.8)	0	0
Vomiting	5 (8.8)	0	0	0
Fatigue	14 (24.6)	6 (10.5)	0	0
Alopecia	14 (24.6)	9 (15.8)	0	0
Anorexia	14 (24.6)	3 (5.3)	0	0
Stomatitis	5 (8.8)	1 (1.8)	0	0
Diarrhea	5 (8.8)	0	0	0
Neuropathy-motor	13 (22.8)	1 (1.8)	1 (1.8)	0
Neuropathy-sensory	13 (22.8)	4 (7)	3 (5.3)	0
Hypersensitivity	1 (1.8)	0	1 (1.8)	0
Rash	1 (1.8)	0	0	0
Cardiac ischemia/ infarction	0	0	0	1 (1.8)
Infection (pneumonia)	0	0	1 (1.8)	0