What is the value added of patient reported outcomes relative to physician rated symptom assessments?

Abstract

8580 Background: This pooled analysis examined the relationship between single-item and multiple-item quality of life (QOL) measures and assessed the agreement between changes in QOL and patient-reported adverse events (AE). Methods: Data from six lung cancer clinical trials involving 358 patients were pooled. All trials incorporated the UNISCALE and one of three multiple-item assessments: the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy-Lung, the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale, or the Symptom Distress Scale. A clinically significant decline (CSD) in QOL was defined as a 10-point drop from baseline. A CSD in AE was defined as a change from ≤ grade 2 at baseline to ≥ grade 3 post-baseline. Spearman rank correlations and Bland-Altman approach were used to assess agreement. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the time to the first occurrence of a severe (grade 3+) AE and first CSD in QOL. Results: Correlations between the UNISCALE and multi-item assessments were modest (rho=0.49–0.66). At least one 10-point decline in the UNISCALE and multi-item assessments were reported by 58% and 40% respectively. At least one severe AE was reported in 44% of patients post-baseline. The percent agreement between experiencing a severe AE and a CSD in QOL was 49% and 59% for UNISCALE and the multi-item tools. For individual AE, the percent agreement between a CSD in AE and a CSD in QOL ranged from 37% to 50% for UNISCALE and 44% to 69% for the multi-item tools. The median time to the first CSD in QOL for UNISCALE and multi-item tools was 67 and 142 days respectively. The median time to the first occurrence of a severe AE was 304 days. Conclusions: QOL and AE provide quantifiably different information. A 10-point decline in QOL occurs earlier than CTC AE reporting. Patient reported outcomes may be more sensitive in identifying clinically relevant problems than physician rated symptom assessments. No significant financial relationships to disclose.