Rapid Fire Best of the Best Oral 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Multimorbidity prevalence of adults presenting to an exercise oncology service. (126642)

Christie R Mellerick 1 , Blake Binion 1 , Greta Ishak 1 , Kristen Capron 2 , Clare O'Donnell 2 , Jesse Turner 1 3 , Morgan Farley 4 , Angela Mellerick 1 , Xue Wang 1 , Claire Howatt 1 , Kathryn Wallace 1 , Elizabeth Foster 1 , Irene Aardoom 1 , Tania Cushion 1 , Declan Hennessy 3 , Steve Fraser 3 , Sue Berney 2 , Josephine Stewart 1 , Umbreen Hafeez 1 , Eric Wong 1 , Genevieve Douglas 1 , Eliza Hawkes 1 5 , Belinda Yeo 1 , Polly Dufton 1 , Ashley Bigaran 1 5
  1. Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
  2. Physiotherapy, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
  3. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
  4. Centre for Health Transformation, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  5. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

Introduction/Aim: Multimorbidity, defined as two or more coexisting chronic conditions, adds substantial complexity to cancer care and presents a challenge in a exercise oncology service. As prevalence increases, advanced clinical expertise is needed to navigate safe and effective exercise prescription. This study aimed to characterise the burden of multimorbidity among people affected by cancer who attended an exercise oncology service.

 

Methods: A retrospective audit of electronic medical records was completed for people referred to an outpatient exercise oncology service at a tertiary hospital in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia between 2023 and 2024. Demographic data including age, sex, diagnosis, comorbidities, number of prescribed medications and physical activity levels (Godin Leisure Time Questionnaire) were obtained from baseline assessment within electronic medical records.

 

Results: Ninety-five people (60 ± 12.5 years; 65% Male) were included. Primary cancer diagnoses included Breast n=44 (46.5%), Prostate n=15 (16%), Colorectal n=6 (6%), Brain n=3 (3%), Gastrointestinal n=1 (1%), Gynaecological n=1 (1%) and Other n=25 (26.5%). Fifty-nine percent of people had at least one or more comorbidities alongside cancer diagnosis, 27% multimorbid. The most frequent comorbidities were osteoarthritis and hypercholesterolaemia (both n=28, 30%), hypertension (n=23, 24%), depression (n=11, 12%) and diabetes (n=5, 5%). Cardiac comorbidity and risk factors were most common, (28% with one, 14% with two or more). The median number of prescription medications was 2 [IQR 2-3]. Comorbidity burden was similar across sexes (p=.060). Forty-four percent of people were physically inactive and did not adhere to the cancer-specific physical activity guidelines.

 

Conclusion: Multimorbidity presents a major challenge in exercise oncology care. Over half of patients in our exercise oncology service are considered multimorbid and physically inactive, with cardiac comorbidities being the most prevalent. This highlights the need for tailored, multidisciplinary approaches to enhance exercise oncology services and improve health outcomes.