ArticleCancer2026
Advancing depression assessment in older adults with cancer: Development and validation of the Older Adults with Cancer-Depression Scale (OAC-D), a novel, patient-reported outcome.
Article in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDepression in older adults with cancer (OACs) is poorly captured by patient-reported outcomes (PROs) because traditional criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) may overlook unique symptoms in OACs. By using US Food and Drug Administration Guidance for Industry on PRO development, the authors conceptualized depression in OACs and created the Older Adults with Cancer-Depression Scale (OAC-D). This study evaluates the psychometric properties of this novel measure.
methodsBased on a refined conceptual model informed by literature reviews and qualitative work with patients and experts in geriatric oncology, a 35-item draft PRO was developed. The draft was administered, alongside legacy measures, to OACs aged >70 years and older at a comprehensive cancer center and across the United States. Exploratory graph analysis was used to identify items and factors.
resultsThe mean ± standard deviation age of the 155 participants was 76 ± 5 years, and 56% were women. Exploratory graph analysis yielded an 18-item measure with five domains: (1) interest and enjoyment, (2) purpose and meaning, (3) loneliness, (4) social withdrawal, and (5) regret and guilt. Internal consistency (Cronbach alpha, .85-.95) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.61-0.80) were strong. Convergent validity was supported by correlations with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (r = 0.75), the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System anxiety score (r = 0.69), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical score (r = -0.39). Known groups analysis demonstrated higher OAC-D scores for those with a history of depression (p < .001).
conclusionsThe OAC-D identified five unique domains of depression, only one of which overlapped with DSM criteria. It demonstrated robust psychometric properties, providing a nuanced alternative to DSM-based measures and addressing the distinctive psychological challenges of cancer and aging.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.