Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurements in chronic and malignant diseases: ten years' experience with PRO-algorithm-based patient-clinician interaction (telePRO) in AmbuFlex

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported Outcome (PRO) measures may be used as the basis for out-patient follow-up instead of fixed appointments. The patients attend follow-up from home by filling in questionnaires developed for that specific aim and patient group (telePRO). The questionnaires are handled in real time by a specific algorithm, which assigns an outcome color reflecting clinical need. The specific questionnaires and algorithms (named solutions) are constructed in a consensus process with clinicians. We aimed to describe AmbuFlex' telePRO solutions and the algorithm outcomes and variation between patient groups, and to discuss possible applications and challenges.

METHODS

TelePRO solutions with more than 100 processed questionnaires were included in the analysis. Data were retrieved together with data from national registers. Characteristics of patients, questionnaires and outcomes were tabulated for each solution. Graphs were constructed depicting the overall and within-patient distribution of algorithm outcomes for each solution.

RESULTS

From 2011 to 2021, 29 specific telePRO solutions were implemented within 24 different ICD-10 groups. A total of 42,015 patients were referred and answered 171,268 questionnaires. An existing applicable instrument with cut-off values was available for four solutions, whereas items were selected or developed ad hoc for the other solutions. Mean age ranged from 10.7 (Pain in children) to 73.3 years (chronic kidney disease). Mortality among referred patients varied between 0 (obesity, asthma, endometriosis and pain in children) and 528 per 1000 patient years (Lung cancer). There was substantial variation in algorithm outcome across patient groups while different solutions within the same patient group varied little.

DISCUSSION

TelePRO can be applied in diseases where PRO can reflect clinical status and needs. Questionnaires and algorithms should be adapted for the specific patient groups and clinical aims. When PRO is used as replacement for clinical contact, special carefulness should be observed with respect to patient safety.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Used in Routine Care Predict for Survival at Disease Progression in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been increasingly implemented in routine care to aid in clinical decision-making. However, the prognostic value of PRO measures as a tool for decision making is not easily interpreted by clinicians. Our aims were to explore the prognostic value of PRO measures at disease progression and the changes in PRO measures between treatment start (baseline) and disease progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since 2014, patients with lung cancer have completed an electronic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires C30 and LC-13 before every outpatient visit at the Department of Oncology, Hospital Unit West, Jutland, Denmark. The patients' responses were used in routine care. Patients receiving palliative antineoplastic treatment were eligible for analysis if the questionnaire had been completed at the initiation of first-line treatment and at disease progression. The prognostic value of the scores was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model. A P value < .01 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 94 screened patients were included. At disease progression, survival could be predicted from the absolute score of the global health scale, 3 functional scales (physical, role, emotional), and 7 symptom scales (fatigue, pain, dyspnea, hemoptysis, lung cancer dyspnea, chest pain). In addition, changes in hemoptysis, dysphagia, dyspnea, and chest pain predicted for survival at progression.

CONCLUSION

PRO measures used in routine care can provide clinicians with relevant prognostic information about patients with lung cancer at disease progression. These results show the potential value of PRO measures when used in clinical decision-making.

Electronic symptom monitoring in patients with metastatic lung cancer: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

To design an electronic questionnaire for symptom monitoring and to evaluate the feasibility, usability and acceptability when applied to patients with metastatic lung cancer.

SETTING

Single-centre feasibility study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with stage IV lung cancer in antineoplastic treatment.

INTERVENTIONS

This study describes the first three phases of a complex intervention design: phase 1, development of the intervention; phase 2, feasibility testing and phase 3, evaluation of the intervention. In phase 1, items were selected for the questionnaire and adjusted following patient interviews. In phase 2, patients completed the electronic questionnaire weekly during a 3-week feasibility test. In case of symptom deterioration, a nurse was notified with the aim to contact the patient. In phase 3, patients evaluated phase 2 by paper questionnaires, and interviews were conducted with the participating nurses.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The study outcomes: phase 1, usability and relevance; phase 2, recruitment rate, compliance and threshold functionality and phase 3, usability, acceptability and relevance.

RESULTS

In phase 1, a questionnaire was designed and reviewed by patients (n=8). The interviews revealed high usability and relevance of the intervention.For phases 2 and 3, 20 of 29 approached patients (69%) responded to the questionnaire on a weekly basis. Two patients did not complete any questionnaires (compliance 90%). The remaining 18 patients completed 65 of a total of 72 possible questionnaires (7 missed, 93% completed). Reported symptoms led to a phone call from a nurse in 30% of the responses.The patients reported high usability and acceptability of questionnaire and software. The substance of the telephonic conversations was relevant, and the study set-up was logistically acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

An electronic questionnaire designed for symptom monitoring revealed high usability, acceptability and relevance in the target population. In conclusion, the study set-up was considered feasible for a randomised controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03529851.

Solitary Fibrous Tumour: A Single Institution Retrospective Study and Further Validation of a Prognostic Risk Assessment System

AIMS

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal-derived neoplasm that can arise in any anatomical location in the body. SFT rarely metastasises, but aggressive behaviour is seen in a minority of cases, and relapses can occur several years after treatment. It would be a clinical advantage if high-risk patients could be identified before treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed a population-based cohort of SFT to describe treatment, outcome, prognostic factors and to further validate a previously published risk assessment tool (D-score) based on age, tumour size and mitotic index. Seventy-two patients diagnosed with SFT in the Central, North and Southern Denmark regions between 1979 and 2013 were included in the study.

RESULTS

For patients with localised disease at the time of diagnosis (n = 64) the 5 and 10 year overall survival was 86% (95% confidence interval 74-92) and 65% (95% confidence interval 50-78), respectively. Seventeen of 62 patients (27%) who were in remission after radical treatment developed recurrence with either local or distant disease. The 5 year recurrence-free survival was 83% (95% confidence interval 70-90) and the 10 year was 69% (95% confidence interval 53-81). The 5 year local recurrence-free survival was 96% (95% confidence interval 86-99) and the 10 year was 92% (95% confidence interval 76-96). The median time to both overall recurrence and local recurrence was 4.3 years. Metastatic or inoperable SFT had a poor prognosis with a median overall survival of 8.4 months (range 3.6-26.4) and a 5 year overall survival of 11% (95% confidence interval 2-30). A further validation of a risk assessment tool (D-score) confirmed that patients classified as high-risk had a significantly decreased overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 3.7 (95% confidence interval 1.1-12.3).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that our management and outcome were comparable with other published studies describing SFT and confirmed the value of the D-score as a risk assessment tool. Because of late recurrences, long-term (e.g. 10 years) follow-up for moderate- and high-risk patients is recommended.

Loco-regional morbidity after breast conservation and axillary lymph node dissection for early breast cancer with or without regional nodes radiotherapy, perspectives in modern breast cancer treatment: the Skagen Trial 1 is active

BACKGROUND

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in early breast cancer are associated with a risk of morbidity, including lymphedema and impaired shoulder mobility. The aim of this study was to evaluate loco-regional morbidity after breast conserving surgery (BCS), ALND, taxane-based chemotherapy and whole breast irradiation (WBI) with or without regional nodes RT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eligible patients had BCS and ALND from 2007 to 2012 followed by adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy and if indicated, trastuzumab and endocrine treatment. The RT consisted of WBI and regional nodes RT in case of ≥ pN1 disease (group 1) and WBI only in case of pN0-1(mic) disease (group 2). The dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. The patients were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study evaluating morbidity.

RESULTS

Of the 347 eligible patients, 277 patients (79%) accepted the invitation. Of these, 185 patients (67%) belonged to group 1 and 92 patients (33%) to group 2. The median time from RT to evaluation of morbidity was 3.3 years (group 1) and 4.3 years (group 2). In group 1, 34 patients (18%) and in group 2, 15 patients (16%) had ≥2 cm enlargement in circumference of ipsilateral upper or lower arm (p = .67). The frequence of impairment of ipsilateral shoulder abduction to ≤120° was 3% in both groups and of shoulder flexion to ≤120° was 1% and 2% (group 1 versus 2). No difference in patient reported outcome measure (PROM) data regarding heaviness or enlargement of ipsilateral upper and lower arm or mobility and sensory disturbances.

CONCLUSION

The risk of lymphedema was low in patients after ALND and not related to use of regional nodes RT. Impairment of shoulder function was rare, and no differences in PROM were detected regarding use or not of regional nodes RT.