Patient perspectives on symptoms, health-related quality of life, and treatment experience associated with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to better understand the patient perspective and treatment experience of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). METHODS: This qualitative study enrolled adult RRMM patients from 6 US clinics who had ≥ 3 months of life expectancy, ≤ 6 prior lines of therapy, and ≥ 1 treatment regimen with a proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulator, or a CD38 monoclonal antibody or an alkylating agent, and a steroid. In-person semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to capture concepts that were relevant and important to patients. Topics included RRMM symptoms and impacts and the mode of administration, frequency, duration, convenience, side effects, and overall experience with RRMM treatment. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients completed interviews. At enrollment, 59.1% of participants were using regimens containing dexamethasone, 36.4% daratumumab, 27.3% carfilzomib, and 18.2% lenalidomide. More participants had experience using intravenous or injectable therapy alone (40.9%) than oral therapy alone (18.2%). Back pain and fatigue were the most frequently reported symptoms (40.9% each); 27.3% reported no symptoms. Most participants reported physical function limitations (86.4%), emotional impacts (77.3%), MM-related activity limitations (72.7%), and sleep disturbances (63.6%). Most participants perceived treatment effectiveness based on physician-explained clinical signs (68.2%) and symptom relief (40.9%). Participants experienced gastrointestinal adverse events (59.1%), fatigue (59.1%), sleep disturbances (31.8%), and allergic reactions (31.8%) with treatment. Key elements of treatment burden included the duration of a typical treatment day (68.2%), treatment interfering with daily activities (54.5%), and infusion duration (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide treatment experience-related data to further understand RRMM treatment burden and better inform treatment decision-making.

A qualitative study to understand the experience of somatostatin analog treatments from the perspective of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

PURPOSE: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) negatively impact patients' quality of life. Octreotide long-acting release (LAR) and lanreotide depot are somatostatin analogs (SSAs) approved to treat NETs. The study objective was to explore SSA treatment experiences and preferences of patients with NETs. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted in US adults (≥ 21 years) with NETs who had ≥ 6 months' treatment with each SSA and transitioned from octreotide LAR to lanreotide depot within the previous year. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences with octreotide LAR and lanreotide depot, treatment preferences, and SSA treatment attributes. RESULTS: Twenty participants (mean age: 58 years; 90% female; 85% white) completed interviews. The most common reasons for treatment transition were doctor recommendation (70%), treatment not working as expected (55%), and injection type preference (45%). Participants reported 34 unique favorable attributes of SSA treatment and 82 unique unfavorable attributes. Symptom control was the most frequently reported favorable attribute (associated with octreotide LAR by 60% of participants and lanreotide depot by 65%). Painful injection (65%) was most frequently cited unfavorable attribute for octreotide LAR and injection experience dependent on administrator (35%) for lanreotide depot. The three SSA treatment attributes rated as most important were side effects, symptom control, and ability to stabilize tumor. CONCLUSION: Our qualitative data provide valuable insight into the treatment attributes that patients with NETs consider important when making SSA treatment decisions. Factors related to injection administration, side effects, and symptom control are important to patients and should be included in patient-provider communications in clinical contexts.

Development and Validation of a Visual Symptom-Specific Patient-Reported Outcomes Instrument for Adults With Cataract Intraocular Lens Implants.

PURPOSE: To develop a patient-reported outcome measure for capturing visual and ocular symptoms before and after implantation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) for treatment of cataracts. DESIGN: Questionnaire development and validation study. METHODS: The Questionnaire for Visual Disturbances (QUVID) was developed based on a literature and instrument review; 13 clinician interviews among ophthalmologists in the United States and Europe; and 67 hybrid qualitative patient interviews among adult patients in the United States and Australia before and/or after monofocal, traditional multifocal, or trifocal IOL implantation. Assessment of the QUVID's psychometric properties was conducted via a noninterventional cross-sectional study of previously treated cataract patients in the United States, Canada, and Australia (n = 150), and assessment of ability to detect meaningful change via 2 pivotal US clinical trials among patients with trifocal or extended vision IOL compared with monofocal IOL controls (n = 457). RESULTS: The QUVID includes subitems about the bothersomeness of 7 visual symptoms: starburst, halo, glare, hazy vision, blurred vision, double vision, and dark areas. The postoperative version contains 1 item asking the respondents whether their symptoms bothered them enough to want another surgery, if the IOL was the cause. CONCLUSIONS: The QUVID was reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration and found appropriate as a fit-for-purpose measure, demonstrating requisite evidence for content validity, construct validity, reliability, and ability to detect change.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Symptom Assessment Questionnaire: Psychometric Performance and Regulatory Qualification of a Novel Patient-Reported Symptom Measure.

BACKGROUND: The Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (NSCLC-SAQ) was developed to incorporate the patient's perspective into evaluation of clinical benefit in advanced non-small cell lung cancer trials and meet regulatory expectations for doing so. Qualitative evidence supported 7 items covering 5 symptom concepts. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated measurement properties of the NSCLC-SAQ's items, overall scale, and total score. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study, a purposive sample of patients with clinician-diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer, initiating or undergoing treatment, provided sociodemographic information and completed the NSCLC-SAQ, National Comprehensive Cancer Network/Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung Symptom Index (FLSI-17), and a Patient Global Impression of Severity item. Rasch analyses, factor analyses, and assessments of construct validity and reliability were completed. RESULTS: The 152 participants had a mean age of 64 years, 57% were women, and 87% where White. The majority were Stage IV (83%), 51% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 (32% performance status 0 and 17% performance status 2), and 33% were treatment naïve. Rasch analyses showed ordered thresholds for response options. Factor analyses demonstrated that items could be combined for a total score. Internal consistency (Cronbach  α = 0.78) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.87) were quite satisfactory. NSCLC-SAQ total score correlation was 0.83 with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network/Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung Symptom Index-17. The NSCLC-SAQ was able to differentiate between symptom severity levels and performance status (both P values < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The NSCLC-SAQ generated highly reliable scores with substantial evidence of construct validity. The Food and Drug Administration's qualification supports the NSCLC-SAQ as a measure of symptoms in drug development. Further evaluation is needed on its longitudinal measurement properties and interepretation of meaningful within-patient score change. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2021; 82:XXX-XXX).

The Cystic Fibrosis Impact Questionnaire: qualitative development and cognitive evaluation of a new patient-reported outcome instrument to assess the life impacts of cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience significant disease burden, including progressive pulmonary decline and reduced survival. This multicenter qualitative study was conducted to develop a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure to assess the impact of CF on patients' quality of life: the Cystic Fibrosis Impact Questionnaire (CF-IQ). Semi-structured qualitative concept elicitation (CE) interviews with patients and caregivers documented CF-related symptoms, impacts, and treatment experiences. Coded interview data were considered alongside existing PROs, published literature, and expert opinion to develop an initial scale. Three rounds of cognitive interviews evaluated respondent comprehension and facilitated refinement of the CF-IQ. RESULTS: Adult (N = 20) and pediatric (N = 22) patients with CF and their parents/caregivers (N = 22) completed CE interviews at 7 US clinics. The sample included patients aged 6-58 years, 57% females, and represented a broad range of disease severity (forced expiratory volume in 1 s range: 22%-127% predicted). Interviews identified 59 unique CF-related impact concepts in domains, including activity limitations (physical, social, leisure), functional limitations (school, work), vulnerability/lack of control, emotional impact, treatment burden, and future outlook. Concept saturation was achieved, and a draft questionnaire was developed. Findings from the cognitive interviews (n = 18) confirmed that instructions, items, and response scales were relevant and clear, and interpreted as intended by patients. CONCLUSION: The CF-IQ is a 40-item novel PRO scale assessing a comprehensive set of patient-relevant concepts to characterize the multifaceted nature of CF. Qualitative interview data support the content validity of the CF-IQ, which is currently undergoing additional psychometric evaluation in patients with CF.

Development of the symptoms and impacts questionnaire for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures historically used in inflammatory bowel disease have been considered inadequate to support future drug labelling claims by regulatory agencies. AIMS: To develop PRO tools for use in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) following guidance issued by the US FDA and the ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research). METHODS: Concept elicitation and cognitive interviews were conducted in adult patients (≥18 years) across the United States and Canada. Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data, and interview transcripts were coded and analysed. Concept elicitation results were considered alongside existing literature and clinical expert opinion to identify candidate PRO items. Cognitive interviews evaluated concept relevance, interpretability and structure, and facilitated instrument refinement. Concept elicitation participants, except those with an ostomy, underwent centrally read endoscopy to assess inflammatory status. RESULTS: In all, 54 participants (mean age: 46.2 years; 66.7% female) were included in the CD concept elicitation interviews. In total, 80 symptom concepts and 61 impact concepts were identified. After three waves of cognitive interviews, the 31-item Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire for CD (SIQ-CD) was developed. In the UC concept elicitation phase, 53 participants were interviewed (mean age: 41.4 years; 49.1% female). In total, 79 symptoms concepts and 49 impact concepts were identified. Following two waves of cognitive interviews, the 29-item Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire for UC (SIQ-UC) was developed. Both instruments include four symptom and six impact domains. CONCLUSIONS: We developed PROs to support CD and UC drug labelling claims. Psychometric validation studies to evaluate instrument reliability and responsiveness are ongoing.

Physicians' Perspectives on Cost, Safety, and Perceived Efficacy Determine Aminosalicylate Use in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Aminosalicylates are the most commonly prescribed therapy in Crohn's disease (CD), despite uncertainty in the evidence to support their efficacy. AIMS: To examine physicians' perspectives on aminosalicylate use for CD and explore the discordance between clinical practice and the evidence base. METHODS: A qualitative interview study was performed amongst physicians with at least 4 years of independent experience in managing CD patients. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted using an exploratory interview guide. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed to elucidate concepts pertaining to treatment strategies for CD, motivations for prescribing aminosalicylates, perceived benefits and harms of aminosalicylate use, and the relationship between the evidence and real-world prescribing practices. RESULTS: A representative sample of thirty physicians from four different countries and multiple practice environments (university/teaching hospitals, public practice, private/community practice, and subspecialty gastroenterology clinics) participated. Nearly all physicians (93.3%, 28/30) reported prescribing aminosalicylates for CD. Aminosalicylates were endorsed as first-line therapy for mild CD by nearly half of participants (13/30, 43.3%). A favorable safety profile, possible efficacy in mild colonic CD, and patient reluctance to step-up to other therapies were primary motivators for aminosalicylate use. Almost half of respondents (46.7%) expressed that the evidence informing aminosalicylate efficacy in CD differed substantially from their own clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' beliefs about efficacy in subgroups of CD patients, safety, and patient preferences primarily motivate aminosalicylate prescription in CD. There is a lack of confidence in published clinical trials, and a desire for more robust evidence to inform 5-ASA use in CD.

Qualitative Development and Content Validity of the Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (NSCLC-SAQ), A Patient-reported Outcome Instrument.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to describe the process and results of the preliminary qualitative development of a new symptoms-based patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure intended for assessing treatment benefit in clinical trials of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Individual qualitative interviews were conducted in adults with NSCLC (Stages I-IV) in the United States. Experienced interviewers conducted concept-elicitation (CE) and cognitive interviews using semistructured interview guides. The CE interview guide was used for eliciting spontaneous reports of symptom experiences along with probing to further explore and confirm concepts. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed by professional qualitative coders, and were summarized by like content using an iterative coding framework. Data from the CE interviews were considered alongside existing literature and clinical expert opinion during an item-generation process, leading to the development of a preliminary version of the NSCLC Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Three waves of cognitive interviews were conducted to evaluate concept relevance, item interpretability, and structure of the draft items and to facilitate further instrument refinement. FINDINGS: Fifty-one subjects (mean [SD] age, 64.9 [11.2] years; 51.0% women) participated in the CE interviews. A total of 1897 expressions of NSCLC-related symptoms were identified and coded in interview transcripts, representing ~42 distinct symptom concepts. A 9-item initial-draft instrument was developed for testing in 3 waves of cognitive interviews with additional subjects with NSCLC (n = 20), during which both paper and electronic versions of the instrument were evaluated and refined. Participant responses and feedback during cognitive interviews led to the removal of 2 items and substantial modifications to others. IMPLICATIONS: The NSCLC-SAQ is a 7-item PRO measure intended for use in advanced NSCLC clinical trials to support medical product labelling. The NSCLC-SAQ uses a 7-day recall period and verbal rating scales. It was developed in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration's PRO Guidance and scientific best practices, and the resulting qualitative interview data provide evidence of content validity. The NSCLC-SAQ has been prepared in both paper and electronic administration formats and a tablet computer-based version is currently undergoing quantitative testing to confirm its measurement properties and support US Food and Drug Administration qualification.

Concept Elicitation Within Patient-Powered Research Networks: A Feasibility Study in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of using social media-based patient networks to gather qualitative data on patient-reported outcome (PRO) concepts relevant to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). METHODS: Between August and November 2013, US-residing members of the PatientsLikeMe online CLL patient community completed open-ended web-based surveys designed to elicit descriptions of CLL symptoms, impacts, and treatment-related perceptions. Qualitative telephone follow-up interviews were conducted with a subsample of respondents. Survey responses and interview transcripts were coded for qualitative analysis using Atlas.ti. RESULTS: Fifty survey responses were included in the analyses. Participants were age 60.5 ± 6.9 years, 54% female, and 96% white. When surveyed, 20% were receiving current treatment, 16% were in remission, and 64% were treatment-naïve. Among respondents, 369 descriptions of CLL symptoms were coded. Fatigue-related symptoms were expressed most frequently, with 54% reporting "fatigue," "tiredness," or both in their responses. These concepts were followed by night sweats (38%), swollen lymph nodes (32%), and frequent infections (28%). Among impacts of CLL, worry and fear (66% of respondents), depressed feelings (52%), and work limitations (50%) were noted most frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Survey results identified constitutional symptoms of CLL included in existing PRO instruments and the literature. Although the findings suggest that qualitative data obtained through social media applications can be potentially useful in supporting concept identification for newly developed PRO instruments, they also indicate that online approaches alone may not be sufficient to achieve efficient and exhaustive concept elicitation. Further research is needed to identify whether the results can support content validity in the same way as established qualitative research methods.