Frailty in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, conceptual misapprehension of chronological age.

In haematology practice, patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are generally assessed for frailty only if they are older and not able to tolerate intensive and remission targeted treatments. We aimed to focus on frailty in patients with AML, in all ages and aimed to evaluate its role and practicality in daily routine. Data of patients diagnosed and treated for AML between 2006 and 2016 are recorded and assessed for their survival predictivity. One hundred and ninety-seven patients were <65 years of age and 175 were ≥65. Majority of the younger patients showed ECOG 2 performance (119, 60.4%). Combined with ECOG scale, G8 scale showed survival predictivity in younger patients as well as older patients. Nutritional status showed a strong predictivity in younger patients while remained insignificant in older patients. VES13 scale showed similar predictivity strength for survival in both age groups (p = .001). Young AML patients should be thoroughly evaluated as older patients. ECOG performance evaluation should be supported with further scales. Young patients with lower ECOG scores may be regarded as vulnerable with scales embracing dimensions such as nutrition, perception of disease, depression and cognition. Nutrition should be within the main goals of intensive treatment and is related with survival.