Patient-reported Outcome Items Research Articles

Development and validation of the NCC-BC-A scale to assess patient-reported outcomes for breast cancer patients in China.

The commonly used international patient-reported outcome scales for breast cancer were developed before the advent of multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies, rendering them potentially insufficient for current clinical practices. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a specific patient-reported outcome scale tailored for breast cancer patients in China to optimize the management model for these patients. A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, and CNKI databases to extract dimensions and items for a potential patient-reported outcome scale. The Delphi method was used to modify, add, subtract, and adjust the language of items until the experts reached a consensus on the first draft. This draft was further refined using a cognitive test and a presurvey. The optimized scale was used for a formal survey, and the items were further analyzed and screened using metrics such as the coefficient of variation, correlation coefficient, internal item consistency, factor analysis, reliability, and validity. A total of 10,954 articles were analyzed, and 237 were used to create a pool of 277 patient-reported outcome items. Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, the experts' authority coefficients were 0.739 and 0.826. After a cognitive test, several items were adjusted to enhance understanding. Further adjustments were made following a presurvey of 200 advanced breast cancer patients, resulting in a 38-item patient-reported outcomes scale, termed NCC-BC-A. In the national formal survey, 588 advanced breast cancer patients participated. Principal component analysis showed good consistency among the items and sufficient difference between the dimensions. The results were normally distributed with good variation. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.925 and the test-retest reliability was 0.9041. The NCC-BC-A scale has high validity and reliability. It comprehensively considered the characteristics of systemic treatment for breast cancer, and the specific context within China. Its implementation may help clinicians to pay more attention to quality of life of breast cancer patients and to optimize the system for managing this condition.

MA10.09 Mapping of Patient-Reported Outcome Items to Symptomatic Adverse Events of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

MA10.09 Mapping of Patient-Reported Outcome Items to Symptomatic Adverse Events of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Most Common Symptomatic Adverse Reactions of Cancer Treatments From US Drug Labels (2015-2021) to Inform Selection of Patient-Reported Outcomes

ObjectivesIncorporating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to assess symptomatic adverse events (AEs) in cancer clinical trials (CTs) is important to characterize treatment tolerability. Cancer therapies approved over the past decade have expanded the types of expected toxicities. To inform future symptomatic AE PRO item selection, we identified the most common symptomatic adverse reactions from recently approved products. MethodsWe reviewed approvals from 2015 to 2021 for lung, breast, and hematologic cancer indications. Using United States Prescribing Information safety data, we recorded symptomatic adverse reactions reported in ≥20% of patients in the experimental arm of CTs supporting approvals. We calculated the proportion of arms reporting each symptomatic adverse reaction. ResultsIn total, 130 experimental arms were included (lung = 30, breast = 10, hematologic = 90). For all cancer types, fatigue and diarrhea were reported in >50% of the arms. Nausea was reported in ≥50% of the arms for all except lung. Vomiting, decreased appetite, and alopecia, were reported in ≥50% of breast cancer arms. Rash, musculoskeletal pain, and cough were reported in >50% of leukemia/lymphoma arms. Cough was common (50%) in multiple myeloma arms. ConclusionsHeterogeneity in symptomatic adverse reactions across CTs supports the use of item libraries when building a PRO strategy to assess tolerability. Fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea were the most frequent symptomatic adverse reactions reported in contemporary cancer CTs and could provide a starting point when selecting PRO symptomatic AE items. Additional symptomatic AE PRO items should be selected based on the mechanism of action, early clinical data, published literature, and patient and clinician input.

Patient-reported outcomes corresponding to most common symptomatic adverse events in lung cancer clinical trials.

11103 Background: FDA recommends assessing the most relevant expected symptomatic adverse events (AEs) with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer clinical trials (CTs) to complement traditional safety data. To inform selection of symptomatic AEs, we previously identified the most common (i.e., all-grade, clinician-reported in ≥20% of patients) symptomatic AEs from FDA-approved lung cancer product approvals from 2015 through 2021 based on CT monotherapy experimental arm safety data from US Prescribing Information (USPI). The present research aims to assess whether these CTs included PROs which adequately captured common symptomatic AEs. Methods: We assessed 30 CTs that supported lung cancer approvals from 2015 through 2021. We reviewed the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and/or clinical study report to determine the PRO measures included. We matched symptoms included within PRO measures and items to the most common clinician-reported symptomatic AEs per the USPI to determine the extent to which the PROs and symptomatic AEs corresponded. Results: Twenty-three out of 30 (77%) CTs supporting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) approvals included PRO(s). Nineteen included more than one PRO measure. The most frequently used PRO measures were the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30; n=19), EORTC-Lung Cancer (EORTC QLQ-L13; n=17), EuroQoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D; n=12), and selected items from the Patient-reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events item library (PRO-CTCAE; n=4). Nearly all (20 of 23) CTs included PRO items corresponding to more than half of the common symptomatic AEs reported. Symptomatic AEs for types of pain corresponded to general pain PRO items (e.g., “musculoskeletal pain” matched to EORTC item for “pain”). However, PRO items for specific types of pain were not often used. While important symptomatic AEs such as fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and decreased appetite were often assessed by PROs, others including rash and edema were not usually captured. Ultimately, only 4 of 23 (17%) CTs with PROs included items that assessed all symptomatic AEs that occurred in ≥20% of patients. Of the 4 CTs which included an item library, 3 (75%) comprehensively assessed patient-reported symptomatic AEs, compared to 3 of 19 (16%) CTs that did not employ an item library for patient-reported symptom collection. Conclusions: Based on USPI safety data and PRO measures from CT monotherapy experimental arms of recently approved NSCLC cancer drugs, we determined that while the majority of CTs include PRO items for some relevant symptomatic AEs, other important expected symptomatic AEs (e.g., edema, rash, specific types of pain) were not measured. Future NSCLC CTs should include PRO items for common expected symptomatic AEs which is feasible using well-established PRO item libraries.

Towarda more patient-centered drug development process in clinical trials for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS): Practical considerations from the International Consortium for MDS (icMDS).

Notable treatment advances have been made in recent years for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS), and several new drugs are under development. For example, the emerging availability of oral MDS therapies holds the promise of improving patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Within this rapidly evolving landscape, the inclusion of HRQoL and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is critical to inform the benefit/risk assessment of new therapies or to assess whether patients live longer and better, for what will likely remain a largely incurable disease. We provide practical considerations to support investigators in generating high-quality PRO data in future MDS trials. We first describe several challenges that are to be thoughtfully considered when designing an MDS-focused clinical trial with a PRO endpoint. We then discuss aspects related to the design of the study, including PRO assessment strategies. We also discuss statistical approaches illustrating the potential value of time-to-event analyses and their implications within the estimand framework. Finally, based on a literature review of MDS randomized controlled trials with a PRO endpoint, we note the PRO items that deserve special attention when reporting future MDS trial results. We hope these practical considerations will facilitate the generation of rigorous PRO data that can robustly inform MDS patient care and support treatment decision-making for this patient population.

Development of the pediatric narcolepsy patient-reported outcomes scale (PN-PROs)

BackgroundPediatric narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that impacts the health and overall wellbeing of children and adolescents with the disease. Meaningful and regular assessment of symptom frequency and severity is important for the long-term management of narcolepsy and for optimizing quality of life. However, there is currently no patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measure developed from both patient and expert input that is designed specifically to assess the impact of pediatric narcolepsy on daily life and overall disease burden.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative mixed-methods study to develop a novel patient-reported outcomes measure for pediatric narcolepsy patients. We created and refined a conceptual framework through literature review, semi-structured interviews with narcolepsy experts, and focus groups of children and adolescents with narcolepsy and their parents. Guided by the domains and facets identified in our conceptual framework and further literature review, we developed a PROs item bank. Our team further refined the item bank and classified items through team discussions and expert guidance. Content validity of the item pool was evaluated with expert review, readability analysis, and cognitive interviews with narcolepsy patients.ResultsThrough our processes, we developed a PROs item bank comprising two domains (narcolepsy symptoms and functional impairment) that contains 10 facets. The final item bank consists of 55 items, with 27 items representing five facets of narcolepsy symptoms (behavior, cataplexy, cognitive difficulties, sleep quality, and sleepiness) and 28 items representing five facets of functional impairment (bothered by/worried about symptom, cognitive/academic, global functioning, safety, and social).ConclusionWe developed items for the Pediatric Narcolepsy Patient-Reported Outcomes (PN-PROs) measure that incorporates expert insight, published literature, and testimony from children/adolescents living with narcolepsy and their families. Upon completion of the psychometric testing and content validation process, we believe the PN-PROs will provide a useful longitudinal measure of disease control and standardize outcome assessments in clinical practice and research studies.

Facets of physical function assessed by patient-reported outcome measures in oncology research.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has identified physical functioning (PF) as a core patient-reported outcome (PRO) in cancer clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to identify PF PRO measures (PROMs) in adult cancer populations and classify the PROMs by content covered (facets of PF) in each measure. As part of the Patient Reports of Physical Functioning Study (PROPS) research program, we conducted a targeted literature review to identify PROMs that could be used in clinical trials to evaluate PF from the patient perspective. Next, we convened an advisory panel to conduct a modified, reactive, Delphi study to reach consensus on which PF facets are assessed by PROMs identified in the review. The panel engaged in a "card sort" activity to classify PROM items by PF facets. Consensus was reached when 80% of panel members agreed that at least one facet was being measured by each PROM item. The literature review identified 13 PROMs that met inclusion criteria. Eight facets of PF were identified for classification in the Delphi study: ability, completion, difficulty, limitation, quality, frequency, bother, and satisfaction. Through two rounds, the panel documented and classified conceptual approaches for each PRO item presented. The most prevalent PF facets were ability, difficulty, and limitation. Classifying PF PROMs by PF facets will promote more consistent communication regarding the aspects of PF represented in each PROM, helping researchers prioritize measures for inclusion in cancer clinical trials.

Psychometric evaluation of the near activity visual questionnaire presbyopia (NAVQ-P) and additional patient-reported outcome items.

The Near Visual Acuity Questionnaire Presbyopia (NAVQ-P) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure that was developed in a phakic presbyopia population to assess near vision function impacts. The study refined and explored the psychometric properties and score interpretability of the NAVQ-P and additional PRO items assessing near vision correction independence (NVCI), near vision satisfaction (NVS), and near vision correction preference (NVCP). This was a psychometric validation study conducted using PRO data collected as part of a Phase IIb clinical trial (CUN8R44 A2202) consisting of 235 randomized adults with presbyopia from the US, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Data collected at baseline, week 2, and months 1, 2, and 3 during the 3-month trial treatment period were included in the analyses to assess item (question) properties, NAVQ-P dimensionality and scoring, reliability, validity, and score interpretation. Item responses were distributed across the full response scale for most NAVQ-P and additional PRO items. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the pre-defined unidimensional structure and calculation of a NAVQ-P total score as a measure of near vision function. Item deletion informed by item response distributions, dimensionality analyses, item response theory, and previous qualitative findings, including clinical input, supported retention of 14 NAVQ-P items. The 14-item NAVQ-P total score had excellent internal consistency (α = 0.979) and high test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients > = 0.898). There was good evidence of construct-related validity for all PROs supported by strong correlations with concurrent measures. Excellent results for known-groups validity and ability to detect change analyses were also demonstrated. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods supported interpretation of scores through generation of group-level and within-individual estimates of meaningful change thresholds. A meaningful within-patient change in the range of 8-15-point improvement on the NAVQ-P total score (score range 0-42) was recommended, including a more specific responder definition of 10-point improvement. The NAVQ-P, NVCI, and NVS are valid and reliable instruments which have the ability to detect change over time. Findings strongly support the use of these measures as outcome assessments in clinical/research studies and in clinical practice in the presbyopia population.

Providing meaningful interpretation of performance outcome measures by co-calibration with patient-reported outcomes through the Rasch model: illustration with multiple sclerosis measures

ABSTRACT Performance outcome (PerfO) measures are based on tasks performed by patients in a controlled environment, making their meaningful interpretation challenging to establish. Co-calibrating PerfO and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of the same target concept allow for interpretation of the PerfO with the item content of the PRO. The Rasch model applied to the discretized PerfO measure together with the PRO items allows expressing parameters related to the PerfO measure in the PRO metric for it to be linked to the PRO responses. We applied this approach to two PerfO measures used in multiple sclerosis (MS) for walking and manual ability: the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) and the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). To determine meaningful interpretation of these two PerfO measures, they were co-calibrated with two PRO measures of closely related concepts, the MS walking scale − 12 items (MSWS-12) and the ABILHAND, using the data of 2,043 subjects from five global clinical trials in MS. The probabilistic relationships between the PerfO measures and the PRO metrics were used to express the response pattern to the PRO items as a function of the unit of the PerfOs. This example illustrates the promises of the co-calibration approach for the interpretation of PerfO measures but also highlights the challenges associated with it, mostly related to the quality of the PRO metric in terms of coverage of the targeted concept. Co-calibration with PRO measures could also be an adequate solution for interpretation of digital sensor measures whose meaningfulness is also often questioned.

Symptomatic adverse events in lung cancer clinical trials included in US drug labels from 2015 to 2021 to inform patient-reported outcomes.

e13642 Background: FDA recommends assessing expected symptomatic adverse events (symAEs) as a core patient-reported outcome (PRO) in cancer clinical trials (CTs). Several core PRO symptom lists exist that measure the same symptoms across trial contexts; however, many were developed in an era when cytotoxic chemotherapy was the main mechanism of action (MOA). To further research relevant PROs in modern cancer CTs, we identified common symAEs from recently approved lung cancer drugs across MOAs. Methods: We identified lung cancer drug approvals from 2015 through 2021 using an FDA database. The drug US Prescribing Information (PI) was used to extract indication, MOA, CT information, and all-grade symAEs reported in ≥20% of patients in the investigational arm. To improve symAE attribution to the drug, we limited analysis to CTs with a monotherapy investigational arm. We determined the most common symAEs based on the number of CTs reporting a specific symAE in ≥20% of patients. Results: Of 54 approvals identified, 31 lung cancer CTs (30 for NSCLC, 1 for SCLC) with monotherapy investigational arms were included, with AE data from 9,829 patients. Drug MOAs were classified broadly as growth pathway inhibitors (GPI) for 21 CTs (68%), immunotherapy (IO) for 9 CTs (29%), and cytotoxic chemotherapy for 1 CT (3%). Most common symAEs are presented in Table 1 (truncated to symAEs in ≥9 CTs, based on All CTs). In comparing MOAs, symAEs reported at ≥20% incidence in ≥5 GPI CTs but in no IO CTs included: diarrhea (76% of GPI CTs), edema (38%), nail toxicity/paronychia (29%), vomiting (29%), stomatitis (29%), and dry skin (24%). Fifteen other symAEs were reported at ≥20% incidence in ≥3 GPI CTs, but in no IO CTs [data not shown]. Conclusions: While there were several common symAEs across lung cancer CTs, our analysis using AE data in PIs of recently approved drugs showed important variability between CTs and broad GPI and IO groups, demonstrating that consideration of MOA and expected toxicity are important for ensuring relevant high frequency symAEs are included as PROs. Final selection of expected symAEs from a PRO item library is context dependent, requiring consideration of all available clinical data and patient input.[Table: see text]

Machine learning prediction of patient-reported outcomes associated with systemic therapy from medical records.

e13564 Background: Measures of patient-reported outcome (PRO) are important metrics in cancer care. However, PROs are poorly captured in routine practice, and data collection may incur undue burden on patients. It remains unclear if electronic medical records (EMR) contain sufficient information to dynamically monitor PROs in patients undergoing intensive systemic therapy. Methods: Over a 6 week period, consecutive patients attending an outpatient chemotherapy unit completed two questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and NCI PRO-CTCAE) at each visit. The corresponding EMR, authored by oncologists and allied health providers, were extracted up to 4 weeks prior to the questionnaire date. Random forest algorithm was used to predict each dichotomized PRO class using bag-of- n-grams extracted from the text. The classification performance was assessed by 8-fold cross-validation, using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as the metric. This study is part of the ePERSIST (electronic phenotyping, event retrieval, and case summarisation in solid tumours) project, exploring methods for extracting structured variables from EMR to support oncology research. Results: 115 patients (157 visits to the chemotherapy unit) completed up to 6 sets of questionnaires each. Overall, the median quality-of-life (QOL) score of QLQ-C30, QL2, was 67 (IQR 50 to 83). Machine learning predicted low QL2 score with mean AUC of 0.710 (95% CI 0.630 to 0.791). At the Bonferroni threshold of 0.00025, machine learning significantly predicted several components of QLQ-C30: PF2 (mean AUC 0.722, 0.633 to 0.812), AP (0.725, 0.630 to 0.819), CO (0.686, 0.607 to 0.764), FI (0.677, 0.598 to 0.755), PA (0.696, 0.603 to 0.787), FA (0.686, 0.584 to 0.787), and RF2 (0.717, 0.595 to 0.839). Conversely, EMR could only be used to significantly predict 4 of 13 PRO-CTCAE categories: cutaneous (0.745, 0.659 to 0.832), oral (0.734, 0.630 to 0.838), cardiovascular (0.675, 0.593 to 0.758), and gastrointestinal (GI, 0.742, 0.625 to 0.860), or 15 of 79 (19%) of PRO-CTCAE items related to adverse events including cutaneous (radiation burns, hypohidrosis, rash), oral (anorexia, dysphagia, dysgeusia), and GI symptoms (constipation, bloating), and others (anxiety, hoarseness, pain, erectile dysfunction). An exploratory analysis revealed that specific keywords linked to the PRO items were present in only one (11%) QLQ-C30 and 4 (5%) PRO-CTCAE items. Conclusions: The use of machine learning on clinical text predicts QOL and certain patient-reported adverse events with moderate accuracy in individuals undergoing intensive systemic treatment, suggesting its potential utility in syndromic monitoring where PRO is not formally assessed. Given many items cannot be accurately extracted, however, obtaining information directly from patients through questionnaires may still be required because of limited documentation by clinicians.

Development and validation of a NCC-BC-A scale to assess patient-reported outcomes for advanced breast cancer patients in China.

e13125 Background: The primary therapeutic objectives for advanced breast cancer (ABC) are to extend patients’ survival time and to maintain their quality of life (QoL). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) symptom could improve communication with physicians, and decreased utilization of unplanned healthcare. However, localized PROs scales for ABC were seldomly used in China. This study aimed to develop a specific PROs scale for ABC patients in China and optimize the management model for breast cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, and CNKI databases, and the dimensions and items of the scale in the literature were extracted for the item pool. Delphi method was used to modify, add, subtract, and adjust the language of scale items until the experts' suggestions or opinions reached a consensus, and the first draft of the scale was formed. The first draft of the scale was further optimized by cognitive test and pre-survey. The optimized scale was used for formal survey, and the items of the scale were further analyzed and screened by coefficient of variation, correlation coefficient, internal item consistency, factor analysis, reliability, and validity. All tests were two-sided tests, and the test level was α=0.05. Results: A total of 10945 articles were analyzed, and 237 were finally included to form an item pool containing 277 PRO items. Two rounds of Delphi expert consultation were conducted, and the average authority coefficient of experts was Cr>0.7. Based on the results of cognitive test, the corresponding items were revised by language description to facilitate understanding. After adjustments according to the pre-survey of 200 ABC patients, the PROs scale NCC-BC-A was finally formulated with a total of 38 items, including 9 physiological dimension items, 4 psychological dimension items, 9 social dimension items, 11 treatment-evaluation items, 4 overall self-evaluation dimension items, and 1 other dimension. A total of 588 ABC patients participated in the national formal survey of NCC-BC-A with the average answer time of 6 minutes, and no floor or ceiling effects were observed. A series of statistical tests were conducted on the result. A principal component analysis revealed that the items in PROs scale have great consistency while preserving enough differences between different dimensions. The results were tested to be normally distributed with good variation. Also, the PROs scale survey result has an excellent Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.925 and an excellent test-retest reliability of 0.9041. Conclusions: The PROs scale NCC-BC-A has high validity and reliability, can objectively measure the QoL of ABC patients. NCC-BC-A fully considered the characteristics of treatment status for ABC patients, and the realistic situation in China, which may help clinicians to pay more attention to QoL of ABC patients and to optimize management system for ABC.

Measuring Frailty Using Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) Data: A Feasibility Study in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the feasibility of measuring frailty using patient responses to relevant EORTC QLQ-C30 items as proxy criteria for the Fried Frailty Phenotype, in a cohort of patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM). Data were pooled from nine Phase III randomized clinical trials submitted to the FDA for regulatory review between 2010 and 2021, for the treatment of RRMM. Baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 responses were used to derive a patient-reported frailty phenotype (PRFP), based on the Fried definition of frailty. PRFP was assessed for internal consistency reliability, structural validity, and known groups validity. This study demonstrated the feasibility of adapting patient responses to relevant EORTC QLQ-C30 items to serve as proxy Fried frailty criteria. Selected items were well correlated with one another and PRFP as a whole demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability and structural validity. Known groups analysis demonstrated that PRFP could be used to detect distinct comorbidity levels and distinguish between different functional profiles, with frail patients reporting more difficulty in walking about, washing/dressing, and doing usual activities, as compared to their pre-frail and fit counterparts. Among the 4928 patients included in this study, PRFP classified 2729 (55.4%) patients as fit, 1209 (24.5%) as pre-frail, and 990 (20.1%) as frail. Constructing a frailty scale from existing PRO items commonly collected in cancer trials may be a patient-centric and practical approach to measuring frailty. Additional psychometric evaluation and research is warranted to further explore the utility of such an approach.

Assessment of quality of life after upper extremity transplantation: Framework for patient-reported outcome scale domains.

Upper extremity transplantation offers the promise of restored function and regained quality of life (QOL) for individuals who have sustained hand or arm amputation. However, a major challenge for this procedure becoming an accessible treatment option for patients is the lack of standard measures to document benefits to QOL. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measures are well-suited for this kind of intervention, where the perspective of the patient is central to defining treatment success. To date, qualitative work with experts, clinicians, and patients has been used to identify the most important domains of QOL for PRO item development. Specifically, our group's qualitative work has identified several domains of QOL that are unique to individuals who have received upper extremity transplants, which are distinct from topics covered by existing PRO measures. These include emotional and social aspects of upper extremity transplant, such as Expectations and Perceived Outcomes, Integration and Assimilation of Transplant, Fitting in, and Post-Surgical Challenges and Complications. The broad topic of Satisfaction with Transplant was subdivided into three subtopics: Function, Sensation, and Aesthetics. Satisfaction with Sensation was also identified as a unique domain not evaluated by existing PRO measures. This report operationalizes these eight QOL domains by presenting scoping definitions. This manuscript describes the work that has been completed for domain characterization as an early step toward developing standardized PRO measures to evaluate these important outcomes specific to upper extremity transplantation.

A Mixed-Methods Study to Better Measure Patient-Reported Pain and Fatigue in Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Pain and fatigue are commonly reported by patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) as distressing symptoms, yet no patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been validated or developed specifically for STS. This study aimed to develop novel PRO scales using existing item banks to measure pain and fatigue in STS. A three-stage mixed-methods approach was used. Stage 1: a literature review examined the development and validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) library, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain/fatigue item banks, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, and FACIT-Fatigue. Conceptual models were developed for pain and fatigue. Stage 2: semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical experts (n = 3) and STS patients (n = 28) to ensure conceptual coverage and cognitively debrief the selected PRO items. Stage 3: exploratory Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analyses were performed to examine the measurement properties of the proposed scales. Stage 1: The conceptual model for fatigue was organized into two overarching domains: fatigability and fatigue, further split into two subdomains: symptoms and impact. The conceptual model for pain had one overarching domain split into two subdomains: descriptors and impact. Pain (n = 56) and fatigue (n = 40) items were selected from the EORTC item library. Stage 2: qualitative findings ensured conceptual coverage, provided insight into the relevance and comprehension of the items, and informed subsequent item reduction. Stage 3: The total item number was reduced to 43 (pain n = 18, fatigue n = 25). Exploratory RMT analyses supported the final scales' psychometric properties. This mixed-methods research generated important information on the experience of pain and fatigue in specific subtypes of STS. Five novel PRO scales have been developed through careful item selection in consultation with experts and supported by qualitative and quantitative evidence. These scales may be of value to future clinical trials for STS.

Linking the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Item Library to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Item Library is an interactive online platform currently composed of 950 unique items (questions) derived from 67 patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires. PROs complement clinician adverse event (AE) reporting classifications like the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). This work aims to create a standardized framework using the CTCAE to systematically classify symptomatic AEs from the EORTC Item Library through linking individual items to corresponding AEs. The EORTC Item Library items were searched for within the CTCAE (v5.0) and linked to an AE if they were described within the AE's title, description, or grading. Symptoms described in EORTC items but not located in the CTCAE were coded as missing symptoms. Other nonsymptom EORTC items, not described within the CTCAE were assigned a non-CTCAE descriptive classification. Further descriptive codes (eg, multiple issues) were allocated to enable descriptive analysis. Two raters independently coded 26.2% (n = 249) of the items. The remaining 701 items were coded by one rater and verified by the second, followed by discussion with two additional raters to reach consensus. Overall, 625 (65.8%) EORTC items were linked to 208 different AEs. Three hundred sixty-nine items provide information about non-CTCAE cancer-related issues and were categorized into seven descriptive classifications, including body image; emotional impact of a symptom, diagnosis, or treatment; global health and quality of life; and impact on life and daily activities. Inter-rater agreement for independent coding was 79.1%. Bowel urgency and tenesmus were identified as missing symptoms in CTCAEv5.0. The EORTC Item Library provides considerable coverage of CTCAE toxicities, along with other complementary issues important to patients with cancer. Using the CTCAE clinical framework to classify symptomatic PRO items may facilitate PRO selection and use in clinical trials and routine care.

Oral cannabidiol for prevention of acute and transient chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

To assess the safety, dosing, and preventive effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients receiving oxaliplatin- or paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Patients with cancer scheduled to undergo treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel (Carbo-Tax) or capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) received 150mg CBD oil twice daily (300mg/daily) for 8days beginning 1day before initiation of chemotherapy. Ten CIPN-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures were captured at baseline and each day after the first cycle of chemotherapy for 8days. Multi-frequency vibrometry (MF-V) was captured at baseline and day 4 ± 1 after initiation of chemotherapy. Controls were obtained from a similar patient cohort that did not receive CBD. Adverse events were captured using the CTCAE ver. 4.03. From March to December 2021, 54 patients were recruited. CBD-treated patients were significantly older (p = 0.013/0.037, CAPOX/Carbo-Tax) compared to controls. Patients receiving CBD and CAPOX or Carbo-Tax showed significantly lower (better) change in Z-scores in high-frequency MF-V (125 and 250Hz) compared to controls. This difference was most pronounced for patients receiving Carbo-Tax (- 1.76, CI-95 = [- 2.52; - 1.02] at 250Hz). CAPOX patients treated with CBD had significantly lower peak baseline-adjusted difference in three PRO items on cold sensitivity to touch, discomfort swallowing cold liquids, and throat discomfort (- 2.08, - 2.06, and - 1.81, CI-95 = [- 3.89; - 0.12], NRS 0-10). No significant differences in PRO items were found for patients receiving Carbo-Tax. Possible side effects included stomach pain (grades 1-2) for patients receiving CAPOX. CBD attenuated early symptoms of CIPN with no major safety concerns. Long-term follow-up is ongoing. Results should be confirmed in a larger, randomized study. NCT 04,167,319 (U.S National Library of Medicine; ClinicalTrials.gov). Date of registration: November 18, 2019.

Generation of evidence supporting the content validity of SF-36, FACIT-F, and LupusQoL, and novel patient-reported symptom items for use in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SLE with lupus nephritis (LN)

ObjectiveSLE and lupus nephritis (LN) have significant impacts on the health-related quality of life of patients living with the condition, which are important to capture from the patient’s perspective using...

Development and content validity testing of patient-reported outcome (PRO) items to assess chest congestion associated with the common cold for use in children and adolescents

BackgroundThis article describes qualitative interviews conducted with children (aged 6–11), adolescents (aged 12–17), and adults with the common cold as well as parents/caregivers of the 6–8-year-old children. The aim was to support the refinement and content validity testing of patient-reported outcome (PRO) items assessing chest congestion that could be used as pediatric clinical trial endpoints. Feasibility and acceptability of administering the PRO items electronically on a hand-held touch-screen device were also evaluated. The sample included children aged 6–8 years (n = 14), 9–11 years (n = 13), adolescents aged 12–17 years (n = 12), and adults (n = 10), all of who had current (n = 38) or recent (n = 11) cold. Both concept elicitation (CE) and cognitive debriefing (CD) interviews were conducted with all of these participants, conducted over in two rounds. Ten parents/caregivers of participants aged 6–8 years were also interviewed (separately from their child) regarding how they thought their children would understand the items. The CE interviews explored the qualitative experience of having chest congestion and related symptoms of the common cold. Following their CE interview, participants completed draft items on an electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) device twice daily for 2–5 days prior to their CD interview. During the CD interview participants were asked about relevance, understanding and interpretation of the draft PRO items. Qualitative analysis of the interview data and descriptive analyses of the ePRO data were conducted following both rounds of interviews, with modifications to the items implemented following Round 1 and tested in Round 2.ResultsEight symptoms were reported by children during concept elicitation. Findings from the child, adolescent, and adult/parent interviews supported revisions to the items and enabled the selection of the best performing items. The results provided evidence that the final items were well understood by participants and relevant to their experiences of chest congestion as part of a common cold. Findings also provide support for using the same items across age groups.ConclusionsThe results of the CE and CD interviews provide evidence supporting the content validity of new PRO items assessing the experience of chest congestion symptoms associated with common cold experienced by children, adolescents, and adults.

Patient-Reported Outcomes-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

PurposeTo identify which patient-reported outcomes (PROs) may be most improved through adaptive radiation therapy (ART) with the goal of reducing toxicity incidence among head and neck cancer patients.MethodsOne hundred fifty-five head and neck cancer patients receiving radical VMAT (chemo)radiotherapy (66-70 Gy in 30-35 fractions) completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and Xerostomia Questionnaire while attending routine follow-up clinics between June-October 2019. Hierarchical clustering characterized symptom endorsement. Conventional statistical approaches indicated associations between dose and commonly reported symptoms. These associations, and the potential benefit of interfractional dose corrections, were further explored via logistic regression.ResultsRadiotherapy-related symptoms were commonly reported (dry mouth, difficulty swallowing/chewing). Clustering identified three patient subgroups reporting: none/mild symptoms for most items (60.6% of patients); moderate/severe symptoms affecting some aspects of general well-being (32.9%); and moderate/severe symptom reporting for most items (6.5%). Clusters of PRO items broadly consisted of acute toxicities, general well-being, and head and neck-specific symptoms (xerostomia, dysphagia). Dose-PRO relationships were strongest between delivered pharyngeal constrictor Dmean and patient-reported dysphagia, with MDADI composite scores (mean ± SD) of 25.7 ± 18.9 for patients with Dmean <50 Gy vs. 32.4 ± 17.1 with Dmean ≥50 Gy. Based on logistic regression models, during-treatment dose corrections back to planned values may confer ≥5% decrease in the absolute risk of self-reported physical dysphagia symptoms ≥1 year post-treatment in 1.2% of patients, with a ≥5% decrease in relative risk in 23.3% of patients.ConclusionsPatient-reported dysphagia symptoms are strongly associated with delivered dose to the pharyngeal constrictor. Dysphagia-focused ART may provide the greatest toxicity benefit to head and neck cancer patients, and represent a potential new direction for ART, given that the existing ART literature has focused almost exclusively on xerostomia reduction.