A controlled study of use of patient-reported outcomes to improve assessment of late effects after treatment for head-and-neck cancer

Trille Kristina Kjaer, Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton, Elo Andersen, Randi V Karlsen, Anni Linnet Nielsen, Merete Kjaer Hansen, Kirsten Frederiksen, Christoffer Johansen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To test the effect of longitudinal feedback on late effects reported by survivors of head-and-neck cancer (HNC) to clinicians during regular follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 266 participants were sequentially assigned to either control or intervention group and filled in electronic versions of the EORTC QLQ C-30, H&N35, HADS and a study-specific list of symptoms at up to two consecutive follow-up visits. Participants' symptoms displayed according to severity were provided to the clinician for the intervention group but not for the control group. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the number of symptoms assessed by clinicians (primary outcome). Multivariate linear regression models examined participants' long-term symptom control and QoL (secondary outcome).

RESULTS: More symptoms were assessed by clinicians in the intervention group at all three visits (P<0.001, <0.001, and P=0.04). No effect was observed on most patient outcomes. When prompted by patient-reported outcomes at consultations, clinicians and patients were in better agreement about the occurrence of severe symptoms at all three visits.

CONCLUSION: Timely patient-reported outcomes to clinicians in routine follow-up of HNC survivors enhanced clinicians' rates of assessment of late symptoms. Giving reports of patient-reported outcome to clinicians had limited impact on participants' QoL or symptom burden.

Original languageEnglish
JournalRadiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Volume119
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)221-228
Number of pages8
ISSN0167-8140
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2016

Keywords

  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Quality of Life
  • Research Design
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survivors
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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