A feasibility assessment of functioning and quality-of-life patient-reported outcome measures in adult epilepsy clinics: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to identify functioning and quality-of-life (QOL) patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) feasible for use in the waiting room of adult epilepsy clinics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles on in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French published by the end of February 15th, 2019. We screened retrieved titles and abstracts looking for publications that reported the use of PROMs to measure functioning and QOL in epilepsy. The authors, clinical experts, and patient advocates from the Epilepsy Foundation of America conceptualized a set of desirable feasibility attributes for PROMs implementation in the waiting room of adult epilepsy clinics. These attributes included brief time for completion (i.e., ≤3 min), free cost, coverage of four minimum QOL domains and respective facets, and good evidence of psychometric properties. We defined QOL domains according to the World Health Organization's classification and created psychometric appraisal criteria based on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Guidance.

RESULTS

Eighteen candidate instruments were identified and compared with respect to desirable attributes for use in adult epilepsy clinics. We found that the Quality-of-life in epilepsy (QOLIE)-10 and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-10 (PROMIS-10) were the most feasible PROMs for implementation in adult epilepsy clinics based on our criteria. The QOLIE-10 and PROMIS-10 still lack ideal evidence of responsiveness in people with epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

This is the first systematic review that aimed to assess feasibility properties of available functioning and QOL PROMs. The QOLIE-10 and PROMIS-10 are potentially feasible instruments for implementation in the waiting room of adult epilepsy clinics. Further studies assessing the responsiveness of these PROMs are needed and will contribute to the selection of the most appropriate instrument for longitudinal use in adult epilepsy clinical practice.

Validity of the Neurology Quality-of-Life (Neuro-QoL) measurement system in adult epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that results in recurring seizures and can have a significant adverse effect on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The Neuro-QoL measurement initiative is an NINDS-funded system of patient-reported outcome measures for neurology clinical research, which was designed to provide a precise and standardized way to measure HRQL in epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Using mixed-method and item response theory-based approaches, we developed generic item banks and targeted scales for adults and children with major neurological disorders. This paper provides empirical results from a clinical validation study with a sample of adults diagnosed with epilepsy. One hundred twenty-one people diagnosed with epilepsy participated, the majority of which were male (62%) and Caucasian (95%), with a mean age of 47.3 (SD=16.9). Baseline assessments included Neuro-QoL short forms and general and external validity measures. The Neuro-QoL short forms that are not typically found in other epilepsy-specific HRQL instruments include Stigma, Sleep Disturbance, Emotional and Behavioral Dyscontrol, and Positive Affect and Well-Being. Neurology Quality-of-Life short forms demonstrated adequate reliability (internal consistency range=.86-.96; test-retest range=.57-.89). Pearson correlations (p<.01) between Neuro-QoL forms of emotional distress (anxiety, depression, stigma) and the QOLIE-31 Emotional Well-Being subscale were in the moderate-to-strong range (r's=.66, .71 and .53, respectively), as were relations with the PROMIS Global Mental Health subscale (r's=.59, .74 and .52, respectively). Moderate correlations were observed between Neuro-QoL Social Role Performance and Satisfaction and the QOLIE-31 Social Function (r's=.58 and .52, respectively). In measuring aspects of physical function, the Neuro-QoL Mobility and Upper Extremity forms demonstrated moderate associations with the PROMIS Global Physical Function subscale (r's=.60 and .61, respectively). Neuro-QoL measures of perceived cognitive function (executive function and general concerns) produced moderate-to-strong correlations with the QOLIE-31 Cognition subscale (r's=.65 and .75, respectively) and moderate relations with the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (r's=.51 and .69, respectively). Finally, the Neuro-QoL Fatigue measure demonstrated moderate associations with the QOLIE-31 Energy/Fatigue subscale (r=-.65), Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (r=.69), and the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (r=.50). Five Neuro-QoL short forms demonstrated statistically significant responsiveness to change at 5-7months, including Fatigue, Sleep Disturbance, Depression, Positive Affect and Well-Being, and Emotional and Behavioral Dyscontrol. Overall, Neuro-QoL instruments showed good evidence for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and responsiveness to change over several months. These results support the validity of Neuro-QoL to measure HRQL in adults with epilepsy.

Tools for assessing quality of life in epilepsy patients

In this review, we attempt to bring the reader up to date with recent developments in the area of assessment of quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy, in both the research and clinical contexts. We present evidence from recent publications on the major and most commonly used QOL instruments for both adults and children with epilepsy, including both strengths and limitations. We discuss both generic measures and ones that have been developed specifically for use in the epilepsy population. We draw attention to some of the broader issues that render the QOL assessment endeavor a somewhat complex one - in particular, that epilepsy is not a single condition, with a common clinical trajectory; and that QOL measures as currently configured almost universally focus on its negative impacts, largely neglecting the possibility of those affected being able to retain reasonable social adjustment and life satisfaction. Finally, we suggest that further work needs to focus on plugging the current evidence gaps in relation to psychometric and cross-cultural applicability issues; and on the value of QOL instruments in the clinical care setting. We conclude by highlighting a number of issues from the QOL literature that will, in our view, be the focus of increasing research interest in the next few years.

Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) assessment in epilepsy: a review of epilepsy-specific PROs according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory requirements

Despite collection of patient reported outcome (PRO) data in clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), PRO results are not being routinely reported on European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product labels. This review aimed to evaluate epilepsy-specific PRO instruments against FDA regulatory standards for supporting label claims. Structured literature searches were conducted in Embase and Medline databases to identify epilepsy-specific PRO instruments. Only instruments that could potentially be impacted by pharmacological treatment, were completed by adults and had evidence of some validation work were selected for review. A total of 26 PROs were reviewed based on criteria developed from the FDA regulatory standards. The ability to meet these criteria was classified as either full, partial or no evidence, whereby partial reflected some evidence but not enough to comprehensively address the FDA regulatory standards. Most instruments provided partial evidence of content validity. Input from clinicians and literature was common although few involved patients in both item generation and cognitive debriefing. Construct validity was predominantly compromised by no evidence of a-priori hypotheses of expected relationships. Evidence for test-retest reliability and internal consistency was available for most PROs although few included complete results regarding all subscales and some failed to reach recommended thresholds. The ability to detect change and interpretation of change were not investigated in most instruments and no PROs had published evidence of a conceptual framework. The study concludes that none of the 26 have the full evidence required by the FDA to support a label claim, and all require further research to support their use as an endpoint. The Subjective Handicap of Epilepsy (SHE) and the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) have the fewest gaps that would need to be addressed through additional research prior to any FDA regulatory submission, although the NDDI-E was designed as a screening tool and is therefore unlikely to be suitable as an instrument for capturing change in a clinical trial and the SHE lacks the conceptual focus on signs and symptoms favoured by the FDA.

The Influence of Comorbid Depression on Seizure Severity

PURPOSE

To determine the relation between depressive symptoms and seizure severity among people with epilepsy.

METHODS

A postal questionnaire was used to survey a nationwide community sample about seizures and depression. The Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ) assessed the severity and bothersomeness of seizure components. The Centers for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale categorized levels of depression.

RESULTS

Respondents categorized as having current severe (SEV, n = 166), mild-moderate (MOD, n = 74), or no depression (NO, n = 443) differed significantly in SSQ scores (all p < 0.0001). People with SEV or MOD reported significantly worse problems than did those with NO depression for overall seizure recovery (mean, 5.3, 4.9, 4.5, respectively); overall severity (5.0, 4.5, 4.2); and overall seizure bother (5.3, 4.8, 4.4) (all p < 0.005). Cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of seizure recovery also were rated worse among people with SEV than with NO depression (all p < 0.05). Symptoms of depression were significantly correlated with higher levels of all components of generalized tonic-clonic seizure severity (r = 0.33-0.48; all p < 0.0001), and partial seizures (r = 0.31-0.38; all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically depressed people with epilepsy reported higher levels of perceived severity and bother from seizures, as well as greater problems with overall seizure recovery than did nondepressed people experiencing similar types of seizures. The pervasive influence of depressive symptoms on reports of seizure activity suggests that people with epilepsy should be screened for depression. These data highlight the importance of detecting and treating depression among people with epilepsy.

Reliability, validity and responsiveness of a revised scoring system for the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale

This report examines the reliability, validity and responsiveness of a revised scoring system for the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS). The revised scoring system was validated using archival data from an observational study and a randomized controlled study. Factor analyses confirmed that a single dimension captured how patients evaluate the severity of their most severe seizures occurring during a recall period. The revised scoring system repositions the severity score to range from 0 (no seizures) to 100 (most severe possible). Scores based on the new system were reliable, had construct validity (known-groups validity), and were responsive to changes in the patients' epilepsy as noted by their physicians. Results suggest that future epilepsy studies assessing seizure severity should incorporate the revised LSSS scoring system and a modified version of the questionnaire that simplifies self-assessment and analyses. The modified version of the LSSS and its scoring system are appended to this report.

Patient-based assessments of quality of life in newly diagnosed epilepsy patients: validation of the NEWQOL

PURPOSE

In epilepsy, patient-based assessments are increasingly used as outcome measures in clinical trials of novel therapies alongside the traditional clinical measures of efficacy. The objective of this study was to validate psychometrically a quality of life (QOL) measure developed for use with recently diagnosed epilepsy patients.

METHODS

The NEWQOL (Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy Instrument) is a 93-item self-administered battery designed to assess QOL in patients with new-onset epilepsy. NEWQOL consists of eight multi-item scales (13 subscales) measuring several health parameters: Anxiety, Depression, Social Activities, Symptoms, Locus of Control/ Mastery, Neuropsychological Problems (includes the following subscales: Fatigue, Memory, Concentration, Motor Skills, and Reading), Social Stigma, Worry, Work Limitations, and several single-item measures (General Health, Number of Seizures, Social Limitations, Social Support, Self Concept, Ambition Limitations, Health Transition, and General Limitations). The NEWQOL was collected at baseline and 1 week post-baseline from 108 patients in the U.K. and U.S.

RESULTS

All of the multi-item scales had high item discriminant validity, good test-retest reliability, and acceptable levels of internal consistency reliability; all but the Reading and Stigma subscales had negligible floor and ceiling effects. General linear models were used to examine the known groups validity of NEWQOL. Significant differences were observed in the Worry, Symptoms, Summary Neuropsychological Scales, and all Neuropsychological subscales (Memory, Fatigue, Concentration, Motor Skills, and Reading), indicating poorer functioning in the more frequent or severe seizure groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study offer supportive evidence that NEWQOL has good validity and reliability and can discriminate between patient groups, particularly in relation to symptoms and psychological problems. We conclude that NEWQOL represents a useful measure for future studies in this patient population.

Relationships between seizure severity and health-related quality of life in refractory localization-related epilepsy

PURPOSE

To evaluate relationships between self-report measures of seizure severity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with refractory localization-related epilepsy.

METHODS

A sample of 340 adults enrolled in a seven-center, prospective study of resective epilepsy surgery completed baseline questionnaires that included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE)-89 and a seven-item adaptation of the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale. Associations between QOLIE-89 summary measures and both the total seizure severity scale score and individual seizure severity items were assessed, after adjustment for seizure frequency.

RESULTS

The seizure severity measure had adequate scale score variability and reliability in this sample. Correlations between individual items in the scale did not exceed 0. 43. Product-moment partial correlations between the seizure severity scale and QOLIE-89 summary measures ranged from -0.17 to -0.29 (all p values <0.01). Of the seven seizure severity items, the average time before individuals perceived they were "really back to normal" after their seizures was broadly related to all domains of HRQOL (r values ranged from -0.16 to -0.30; p values <0.01). Severity of injury during seizures was the only other item having more than minimal associations with HRQOL, and it was selectively related to the physical health measure. Higher frequency of falls during seizures was modestly related to less employment.

CONCLUSIONS

This seizure severity measure assesses constructs that are generally distinct from HRQOL, except for moderate and broad associations between HRQOL and patient's perceptions of the average duration of recovery time after seizures. Recovery time may potentially be a useful clinical indicator of seizure severity that reflects meaningful impairment of HRQOL in adults with frequent seizures.