Abstract
PURPOSE: This study examined the pattern of change in cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in the context of physical function and identified risk factors for poor cognitive function post allogeneic HCT in adults ≥ 60 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a two-center prospective cohort study, measuring cognitive and physical function pre-HCT and 3 months post-HCT. A MoCA score of 26 and above is considered normal. We defined mild impairment as a MoCA score of 23-25, and < 23 as moderate impairment. The Sankey plot was generated to assess the transition of impairment status on the MoCA screen from pre-HCT to 3 months post-HCT. The association of predetermined clinical and demographic variables and 3-month cognitive function and cognitive categories was determined using linear mixed-effects model and ordinal logistic regression, respectively. Predetermined variables including physical function, age, gender, education, depressive symptoms, KPS, HCT-CI, disease type, and treatment intensity were used in multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 171 participants were identified. Pre-HCT, 84 (49%) had normal MoCA scores, 51 (30%) had mild, and 36 (21%) had moderate impairment scores. The prevalence of post-HCT mild impairment scores decreased, and moderate impairment scores nearly doubled. Female gender and pre-HCT functional mobility impairment predicted performance on the MoCA post-HCT above and beyond pre-HCT depressive symptoms, comorbid conditions, KPS, and transplant-related factors. Pre-HCT MoCA and functional mobility scores also predicted post-HCT cognitive categories (normal, mild and moderate impairment). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the pre-HCT MoCA screen can identify those at risk for cognitive impairment post-HCT and can help monitor cognitive function post-HCT. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Employing the widely used MoCA threshold for impairment (MoCA < 26) could fail to identify a subgroup requiring intervention and monitoring.