Trajectory of symptoms reported in remote symptom monitoring over the course of oncology treatment for gynecologic cancers.

Authors

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Chelsea L. McGowen

University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Chelsea L. McGowen, Nicole E. Caston, Sheila K. McElhany, Bryanna E. Diaz, Carrie C. McNair, Jeffrey Franks, Courtney J. Andrews, Chao-Hui Huang, James Nicholas Dionne-Odom, Bryan J Weiner, Bradford E. Jackson, Ethan Basch, Angela M. Stover, Doris Howell, Gabrielle Betty Rocque, Jennifer Young Pierce

Organizations

University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada, Medical University of South Carolina, Mount Pleasant, SC

Research Funding

U.S. National Institutes of Health
U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Background: Patients now have the ability to utilize electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs) for remote symptom monitoring (RSM). This analysis seeks to better understand trajectory of reported symptoms during treatment for patients with gynecologic cancer participating in RSM. Methods: We approached patients with gynecological cancer initiating treatment at the Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) between 7/1/21-4/30/2022. Patients were eligible if they were starting chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy for a new cancer. Patients seeking a second opinion were excluded. Enrolled patients received symptom survey (PRO-CTCAE questions) via text or email once per week. Initially, only severe alerts were forwarded to the clinical care team; moderate alerts were forwarded to clinical teams once they were comfortable with alert management. Patients completed symptom assessments for 24 weeks or until withdrawal. Patient age at enrollment, race, sex, cancer type, cancer stage, and PROs were abstracted from electronic health records and the PRO platform (Carevive). Descriptive statistics were calculated using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and median and interquartile ranges (IQR) for continuous variables. Results: A total of 60 female patients with gynecological cancer were enrolled; 33% were Black or African American and 67% were White; median age was 61 years (IQR 53-68). Seventy-eight percent (47/60) of patients reported 379 symptoms with at least one moderate or severe alert during this time period; 32% considered moderate and 68% considered severe. Overall, the most frequently reported symptom was pain (29%). At baseline (week 0), 14% and 41% of 56 patients reported moderate symptoms and severe symptoms, respectively. Symptom burden decreased over time with 4% and 7% of 27 patients who completed a survey at 12 weeks reporting moderate and severe symptoms. Specific symptom trajectories followed similar patterns. Conclusions: In our sample, patients reported the majority of symptoms during the first three months of treatment. Symptom trajectory decreased with time, suggesting symptoms are being effectively monitored and addressed by the clinical teams engaging in RSM. Future research is needed to understand if symptom improvement translates to increased quality of life, decreased hospitalizations, and increased survival for patients, as well as lessen the burden of call volume on the clinical team.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Patient Experience

Sub Track

Integrating Patient Experience Assessment and Patient Reported Outcomes Into Practice

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 28; abstr 270)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.28_suppl.270

Abstract #

270

Poster Bd #

G9

Abstract Disclosures