Association between work productivity and characteristics of adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia: an analysis of the XLH disease monitoring program.

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, genetic, progressive, phosphate-wasting disorder that causes skeletal morbidities, stiffness, pain, and impaired physical function. This study used baseline data from the XLH Disease Monitoring Program to evaluate relationships between work productivity and patient characteristics (demographics, medical history, patient-reported, and functional outcomes) in adults with XLH. Bivariate analysis guided the selection of variables for multivariate analysis after adjustment for multicollinearity and conceptual overlap. The analysis comprised 281 subjects (75.4% female; 80.8% from USA; median age 39.2 yr); 53.4% were employed full-time and 31.3% were not employed; 15.3% were receiving disability payments; 47.0% were taking burosumab at study entry. Most employed subjects were working full-time outside the home (69.9%) and in light or sedentary roles (59.6%). In multivariate analyses, patients with fewer orthopedic surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.96; p=.002) and better Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function scores (OR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.15; p=.013) were more likely to be in full-time employment than not employed. Younger patients (OR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99; p=.014) and those with fewer orthopedic surgeries (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.95; p=.008) were more likely to be in medium than light or sedentary work. Those with worse WOMAC Pain scores were more likely to be doing heavy/very heavy than light or sedentary activity (OR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; p=.006). Full-time employment levels are low in adults of working age with XLH, and unemployment and disability payment rates are high, suggesting that XLH has a substantial impact on work productivity. Worse physical function and a greater number of orthopedic surgeries are associated with lower work productivity. Worse pain, higher number of orthopedic surgeries, and younger age are associated with heavier work roles; however, causality was not specifically investigated.

Systematic literature review of the humanistic and economic burden of focal epilepsy and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults.

This systematic literature review (SLR) assessed the humanistic and economic burden of focal epilepsy and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS) in adults to evaluate these domains in both populations and identify evidence gaps to inform future research. A search was conducted on December 7, 2022, using MEDLINE and Embase to identify studies published from 2012 onwards reporting humanistic burden (patient-reported or caregiver-reported outcomes or utilities, qualitative evaluations), economic burden (productivity loss, caregiver and societal costs of epilepsy), and sleep-related outcomes. Of the 2830 citations identified, 136 were included. Most studies were in the focal epilepsy population; very few studies reported outcomes in the PGTCS population. The presence of epilepsy-specific instruments varied based on the domain evaluated. Epilepsy exerted considerable humanistic and economic burden. Indicators of poor disease control (e.g., high seizure frequency, resistance to anti-seizure medications, polypharmacy) increased epilepsy burden. Seizure frequency and type, disease severity, and polypharmacy also affected work productivity. Adults with epilepsy, particularly focal epilepsy, reported higher indirect costs, more sick days accrued, and early entry into retirement. Caregivers similarly reported high productivity loss and absenteeism related to caregiving duties. The results of this SLR highlight the high humanistic and economic burden of focal epilepsy and PGTCS, although limited data were available for the PGTCS population. The results include patient-reported outcome data specific to focal epilepsy and PGTCS, expanding the limited humanistic burden evidence identified in previous reviews, and show the effect of poor disease control on individuals' lives and as a driver of indirect costs. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Our systematic literature review identified studies that evaluated the impact of focal epilepsy and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures on patients and their caregivers. We found that focal epilepsy negatively impacted patients' mental health and sleep and was associated with higher indirect costs and lower work productivity in people with more severe disease. The impact of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures on patients was rarely reported, and future research is needed.

Burosumab Improves Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adults With Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia: Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is an ultra-rare disease caused by tumors that secrete fibroblast growth factor 23, leading to chronic hypophosphatemia, poor skeletal health, and impaired physical function. In a phase 2 trial (UX023T-CL201; NCT02304367; n = 14), 48 weeks of burosumab treatment restored phosphate homeostasis, with improvements in skeletal health, functional mobility, and patient-reported pain, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) (SF-36 v2). Here, we report an exploratory mixed-methods analysis of change from baseline after 144 weeks of burosumab treatment alongside qualitative data from exit interviews with 8 of 14 trial participants to evaluate meaningful treatment effects from a patient perspective. The interview subset (n = 8) reported pain and fatigue and compromised HRQL at baseline. In the interviews, participants reported that compromised HRQL and pain were the most important aspects of the disease to treat; both were considered more bothersome than fatigue and compromised physical function and activities of daily living. Improvements in pain and fatigue after treatment were reported, some of which achieved statistically and/or clinically meaningful thresholds. Furthermore, improvements in SF-36 v2 scores were most pronounced in the Physical Component Score and its Physical Function and Bodily Pain domains. Overall, the interview subset provided descriptions of symptomatic improvement and its clinical meaningfulness, including physical function, participation in activities of daily living, and mental well-being. Thus, this exploratory mixed-methods analysis provides deeper understanding of patients' perception of clinical meaningfulness beyond that articulated in validated patient-reported outcome instruments. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Benefit of burosumab in adults with X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) is maintained with long-term treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To report the impact of continued burosumab treatment on clinical laboratory tests of efficacy, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and ambulatory function in adults with X-linked hypophosphataemia who continued from a 96-week phase 3 study into a 48-week open-label extension. METHODS: Eligible participants from the phase 3 study continued on the burosumab regimen received at the end of the phase 3 study for a further 48 weeks (n=31). Some (not all) received compassionate burosumab treatment between the two studies (a period of 6-18 months). The primary efficacy outcome was fasting serum phosphate concentration; secondary outcomes were serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentration, renal phosphate reabsorption, PROs and ambulatory function. RESULTS: Improvements in fasting serum phosphate, serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and renal phosphate reabsorption at 96 weeks were maintained through the 48-week extension. Improvements were also maintained in stiffness and physical function measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, pain and fatigue endpoints measuring using the Brief Pain Inventory short-form and Brief Pain Inventory, respectively, and in ambulatory function (6-Minute Walk Test).A post-hoc exploratory analysis exploring outcomes in participants who discontinued burosumab treatment between the studies (n=7) and those who received at least one dose (n=23) indicated that the benefits of burosumab on clinical laboratory tests of efficacy, PROs and ambulatory function may be lost when treatment is interrupted but recover over time when treatment is reinstated. CONCLUSION: Continued treatment with burosumab appears necessary for sustained clinical benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: Phase 3: NCT02526160; open-label extension: NCT03920072.

Efficacy of Burosumab in Adults with X-linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH): A Post Hoc Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study.

The anti-fibroblast growth factor 23 monoclonal antibody burosumab corrects hypophosphatemia in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) and improves pain, stiffness, physical function, and fatigue. This post hoc subgroup analysis used data from the 24-week placebo-controlled period of a phase 3 study in 134 adults with XLH (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02526160), to assess whether the benefits of burosumab are evident in 14 clinically relevant subgroups defined by baseline demographic and functional criteria, including sex, Brief Pain Inventory-short form (BPI-SF) Average And Worst Pain, region, race, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC®) Stiffness, Physical Function and Pain domains and total score, use of opioid/other pain medication, active fractures/pseudo-fractures, and 6-min walk test distance. There were no statistically significant interactions between any of the subgroups and treatment arm for any endpoint. Higher proportions of subjects achieved mean serum phosphate concentration above the lower limit of normal (the primary endpoint) with burosumab than with placebo in all subgroups. For the key secondary endpoints (WOMAC Stiffness and Physical Function; BPI-SF Worst Pain) individual subgroup categories showed improvements with burosumab relative to placebo. For additional efficacy endpoints, burosumab was favored in some subgroups but differences were not significant and confidence intervals were wide. For some endpoints the treatment effect is small at 24 weeks in all subjects. This subgroup analysis shows that burosumab was largely superior to placebo across endpoints in the 14 clinically relevant subgroup variables at 24 weeks and is likely to benefit all symptomatic adults with active XLH.

Burosumab treatment in adults with X-linked hypophosphataemia: 96-week patient-reported outcomes and ambulatory function from a randomised phase 3 trial and open-label extension.

OBJECTIVES: To report the impact of burosumab on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and ambulatory function in adults with X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) through 96 weeks. METHODS: Adults diagnosed with XLH were randomised 1:1 in a double-blinded trial to receive subcutaneous burosumab 1 mg/kg or placebo every 4 weeks for 24 weeks (NCT02526160). Thereafter, all subjects received burosumab every 4 weeks until week 96. PROs were measured using the Western Ontario and the McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and ambulatory function was measured with the 6 min walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: Subjects (N=134) were randomised to burosumab (n=68) or placebo (n=66) for 24 weeks. At baseline, subjects experienced pain, stiffness, and impaired physical and ambulatory function. At week 24, subjects receiving burosumab achieved statistically significant improvement in some BPI-SF scores, BFI worst fatigue (average and greatest) and WOMAC stiffness. At week 48, all WOMAC and BPI-SF scores achieved statistically significant improvement, with some WOMAC and BFI scores achieving meaningful and significant change from baseline. At week 96, all WOMAC, BPI-SF and BFI achieved statistically significant improvement, with selected scores in all measures also achieving meaningful change. Improvement in 6MWT distance and percent predicted were statistically significant at all time points from 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with XLH have substantial burden of disease as assessed by PROs and 6MWT. Burosumab treatment improved phosphate homoeostasis and was associated with a steady and consistent improvement in PROs and ambulatory function. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02526160.

A qualitative investigation into the impact of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis on children and their caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (pHLH) is a rare and life-threatening disorder, which usually occurs during infancy or early childhood and is characterized by abnormal activation of the immune system. However, the burden of pHLH on children and their families has not been previously evaluated. This qualitative study investigated the impact of pHLH and its treatment on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of patients and caregivers in the USA and UK using interviews to provide a comprehensive insight from the perspective of the caregivers and young survivors. RESULTS: Twenty-one caregivers were enrolled (median [range] age, 41.1 [26-58] years) and represented 20 patients, four from the UK and 16 from the USA. At enrollment, 17 of the 20 patients were alive with a median [range] age of 12.75 [5-31] years at a mean [range] of 7.8 [0.6-11.6] years after diagnosis. In addition, four adult survivors (median [range] age, 23.3 [21-30] years) were also enrolled (total participants n = 25). From noticing initial symptoms to receiving a diagnosis, caregivers reported a mean (range) of 25.9 (0-258) months. pHLH and its treatment had a substantial and long-lasting impact on patients and caregivers, affecting their physical, emotional and social well-being, family relationships, friendships, and ability to work and study. Many of the experiences reported were negative, even after curative treatment, and some participants experienced long-lasting physical and emotional issues. The most noticeable impact of pHLH for patients was on their physical well-being, whereas for caregivers it was emotional well-being. Across all participants there was a sense of isolation due to the illness and its treatment, particularly regarding the patient being immunocompromised and the fear of infection. Areas having a major impact and considered in need of improvement included: delays in diagnosis, lack of patient-specific information on pHLH and a lack of support and understanding about the condition. CONCLUSIONS: pHLH placed a substantial burden on patients and caregivers, which for some were long-lasting. This was compounded by the lack of awareness and understanding of pHLH by healthcare professionals, and a lack of accessible information for those affected by pHLH.

Validation of the Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C) score to assess healing of rickets in pediatric X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH).

BACKGROUND: Rickets is a primary manifestation of pediatric X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) - a rare progressive hereditary phosphate-wasting disease. Severity is quantified from radiographs using the Rickets Severity Scale (RSS). The Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C) is a complementary assessment in which a change score is assigned based on differences in the appearance of rickets on pairs of radiographs compared side by side. OBJECTIVE: The current study evaluated the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the RGI-C specifically in pediatric XLH. METHODS: The reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the RGI-C were evaluated using data from two studies in pediatric XLH (113 children aged 1-12 years) in which burosumab treatment significantly improved rickets severity. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were assessed by three pediatric radiologists. RESULTS: Intra-rater reliability for RGI-C global score was >90% for agreement within 1 point, with weighted kappa values >0.5, indicating moderate to almost perfect agreement. Inter-rater reliability was also >90% (0.47-0.52 for all reader pairs; moderate agreement). The RGI-C global score showed significant relationships with changes from baseline to week 64 in serum phosphorus (r = -0.397), alkaline phosphatase (-0.611), total RSS (-0.672), standing height (0.268), and patient-reported global functioning (0.306) and comfort/pain functioning (0.409). Based on standardized response means, RGI-C global scores were sensitive to change in RSS, differentiating between those considered improved and greatly improved. Results for validity and sensitivity to change were similar for the RGI-C wrist, knee, and standing long leg scores. CONCLUSION: The RGI-C is a reliable, valid, and sensitive measure in pediatric XLH, and complementary to the RSS.

Patient-Reported Outcomes from a Randomized, Active-Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3 Trial of Burosumab Versus Conventional Therapy in Children with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia.

Changing to burosumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting fibroblast growth factor 23, significantly improved phosphorus homeostasis, rickets, lower-extremity deformities, mobility, and growth versus continuing oral phosphate and active vitamin D (conventional therapy) in a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial involving children aged 1-12 years with X-linked hypophosphatemia. Patients were randomized (1:1) to subcutaneous burosumab or to continue conventional therapy. We present patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from this trial for children aged ≥ 5 years at screening (n = 35), using a Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire and SF-10 Health Survey for Children. PROMIS pain interference, physical function mobility, and fatigue scores improved from baseline with burosumab at weeks 40 and 64, but changed little with continued conventional therapy. Pain interference scores differed significantly between groups at week 40 (- 5.02, 95% CI - 9.29 to - 0.75; p = 0.0212) but not at week 64. Between-group differences were not significant at either week for physical function mobility or fatigue. Reductions in PROMIS pain interference and fatigue scores from baseline were clinically meaningful with burosumab at weeks 40 and 64 but not with conventional therapy. SF-10 physical health scores (PHS-10) improved significantly with burosumab at week 40 (least-squares mean [standard error] + 5.98 [1.79]; p = 0.0008) and week 64 (+ 5.93 [1.88]; p = 0.0016) but not with conventional therapy (between-treatment differences were nonsignificant). In conclusion, changing to burosumab improved PRO measures, with statistically significant differences in PROMIS pain interference at week 40 versus continuing with conventional therapy and in PHS-10 at weeks 40 and 64 versus baseline.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02915705.

Interpreting change from patient reported outcome (PRO) endpoints: patient global ratings of concept versus patient global ratings of change, a case study among osteoporosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory guidance recommends anchor-based methods for interpretation of treatment effects measured by PRO endpoints. Methodological pros and cons of patient global ratings of change vs. patient global ratings of concept have been discussed but empirical evidence in support of either approach is lacking. This study evaluated the performance of patient global ratings of change and patient global ratings of concept for interpreting patient stability and patient improvement. METHODS: Patient global ratings of change and patient global ratings of concept were included in a psychometric validation study of an osteoporosis-targeted PRO instrument (the OPAQ-PF) to assess its ability to detect change and to derive responder definitions. 144 female osteoporosis patients with (n = 37) or without (n = 107) a recent (within 6 weeks) fragility fracture completed the OPAQ-PF and global items at baseline, 2 weeks (no recent fracture), and 12 weeks (recent fracture) post-baseline. RESULTS: Results differed between the two methods. Recent fracture patients reported more improvement while patients without recent fracture reported more stability on ratings of change than ratings of concept. However, correlations with OPAQ-PF score change were stronger for ratings of concept than ratings of change (both groups). Effect sizes for OPAQ-PF score change increased consistently with level of change in ratings of concept but inconsistently with ratings of change, with the mean AUC for prediction of a one-point change being 0.72 vs. 0.56. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial empirical support for methodological and regulatory recommendations to use patient global ratings of concept rather than ratings of change when interpreting change captured by PRO instruments in studies evaluating treatment effects. These findings warrant being confirmed in a purpose-designed larger scale analysis.

A qualitative investigation of patients' and caregivers' experiences of severe sepsis*.

OBJECTIVES: To explore and describe the subjective experiences and long-term impact of severe sepsis on survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers (e.g., spouse or family member) through qualitative research methods. DESIGN: A qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers in the United Kingdom and United States. Participants also completed a demographic background form and sites provided medical history details. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. SETTING: Patients were recruited from a large National Health Service hospital in the United Kingdom and a level 1 trauma center hospital in the United States. Caregivers were recruited through eligible patients. Interviews were conducted either face to face in participant's homes or another convenient location or over the telephone. PATIENTS: Patients who were 18 years old or older and had experienced an episode of severe sepsis in the previous 12 months were recruited by clinical staff in each hospital. Caregivers were family members or friends who had provided informal care for the patient after their episode of severe sepsis. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-nine interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 17 informal caregivers (of these 28 were conducted face-to-face and 11 by telephone). Five main themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: awareness and knowledge of severe sepsis; experience of hospitalization, ongoing impact of severe sepsis; impact on caregivers; and support after severe sepsis. Experiences varied depending on the patients' health prior to the severe sepsis, with the worst affected reporting lasting impacts on multiple aspects of their life. CONCLUSIONS: The study extends what was understood about severe sepsis from the patients' and caregivers' perspectives from the previous limited literature. Caregivers as well as patients reported enduring impact. The study also identified problems of lack of awareness of diagnosis and understanding of severe sepsis by patients and caregivers and difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare providers and ancillary services after discharge from hospital.

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.

Lenalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone, followed by lenalidomide maintenance, improves health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients aged 65 years or older: results of a randomized phase III trial.

The MM-015 trial assessed the effect of lenalidomide-based therapy on health-related quality of life. Patients (n=459) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged 65 years or over were randomized 1:1:1 to nine 4-week cycles of lenalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone, followed by lenalidomide maintenance; or lenalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone, or melphalan and prednisone, with no maintenance therapy. Patients completed health-related quality of life questionnaires at baseline, after every third treatment cycle, and at treatment end. Health-related quality of life improved in all treatment groups during induction therapy. Patients receiving lenalidomide maintenance had the most pronounced improvements, Global Health Status/Quality of Life (P<0.05), Physical Functioning (P<0.01), and Side Effects of Treatment (P<0.05) out of 6 pre-selected health-related quality of life domains. More patients receiving lenalidomide maintenance achieved minimal important differences (P<0.05 for Physical Functioning). Therefore, lenalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone, followed by lenalidomide maintenance, improves health-related quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00405756).

Estimation of utilities in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for economic evaluations.

BACKGROUND: Attempts to estimate the cost effectiveness of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatments in the past have relied on classifying ADHD patients as responders or non-responders to treatment. Responder status has been associated with a small gain in health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) [or utility, as measured using the generic QOL measure EQ-5D] of 0.06 (on a scale from 0 being dead to 1.0 being full health). OBJECTIVES: The goal of the present study was to develop and validate several ADHD-related health states, and to estimate utility values measured amongst the general public for those states and to re-estimate utility values associated with responder status. METHODS: Detailed qualitative interview data were collected from 20 young ADHD patients to characterize their HR-QOL. In addition, item-by-item clinical and HR-QOL data from a clinical trial were used to define and describe four health states (normal; borderline to mildly ill; moderately to markedly ill; and severely ill). ADHD experts assessed the content validity of the descriptions. The states were rated by 100 members of the UK general public using the time trade-off (TTO) interview and visual analog scale. Statistical mapping was also undertaken to estimate Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) utilities (i.e. response status) from Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) defined states. The mapping work estimated changes in utilities from study baseline to last visit for patients with a CGI-I score of ≤ 2 or ≤ 3. RESULTS: The validity of the four health states developed in this study was supported by in-depth interviews with ADHD experts and patients, and clinical trial data. TTO-derived utilities for the four health states ranged from 0.839 (CGI-S state 'normal') to 0.444 (CGI-S state 'severely ill'). From the mapping work, the change in utility for treatment responders was 0.19 for patients with a CGI-I score of ≤ 2 and 0.15 for patients with a CGI-I score of ≤ 3. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides utilities for different severity levels of ADHD estimated in a TTO study. This approach provides a more granular assessment of the impact of ADHD on HR-QOL than binary approaches employed in previous economic analyses. Change in utility for responders and non-responders at different levels of CGI-I was estimated, and thus these utilities may be used to compare health gains of different ADHD interventions.

Assessing and demonstrating data saturation in qualitative inquiry supporting patient-reported outcomes research.

In the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) field, strict regulatory requirements must be met for qualitative research that contributes to labeling claims for medicinal products. These requirements not only emphasize the importance of reaching saturation but also of providing documentary evidence that saturation has been reached. This paper reviews qualitative literature for useful definitions of the concept and for practical approaches for assessing saturation. The paper considers approaches in light of the rigorous regulatory requirements for PRO research that are used to support labeling claims for medicinal products and the wider requirements for flexibility and creativity in qualitative research in general. This assessment is facilitated by the use of examples from our past qualitative PRO studies. Based on conclusions from this assessment, we offer preliminary recommendations for future qualitative PRO studies for assessing and documenting saturation.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS): development of conceptual models of health-related quality of life (HRQL) for caregivers and children.

LGS is a severe form of childhood epilepsy which is characterized by multiple seizures and cognitive impairment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 parents of children with LGS in the US, UK, and Italy. Parents were asked to report on their perceptions of the HRQL of their child and also to describe the impact on their own HRQL. Thematic analysis was conducted to develop themes relating to the impact on HRQL. The themes were organized into conceptual models of the impact of LGS on the HRQL of the parent and the child. The models demonstrate the complex relationships between the components of LGS and their impact on HRQL.

Impact of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients and caregivers: literature review.

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the literature to evaluate the impact of LGS on the HRQL of children with LGS and their caregivers. The literature search revealed that there is limited published research on the impact of LGS on the HRQL of the child or caregiver. LGS has a major physical impact on a child, with a high frequency of seizures, and a high rate of seizure-related injuries. It interferes with all aspects of the child's intellectual and social development. The patient, and also his/her entire family are affected. Caring for a child with LGS is described as a 'burden', with increased anxiety about injury from seizures as well as the strain associated with providing continuous care. Overall, there is a lack of research on LGS, specifically the extent of the impact of LGS on the HRQL of the child and caregiver is under-explored.

A validated patient reported measure of urinary urgency severity in overactive bladder for use in clinical trials.

PURPOSE: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a syndrome consisting of urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence, usually with increased urinary frequency and nocturia. In response to current limitations in OAB clinical research a new patient reported measure of urgency severity associated with OAB has been developed, namely the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale (IUSS). We report the measurement properties of the IUSS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Validation study data were collected alongside a phase III clinical trial of 20 mg trospium chloride twice daily vs placebo in patients with OAB associated with urge incontinence. We evaluated IUSS item variability, known group, content, criterion and construct validity, test-retest reliability, responsiveness and respondent burden. RESULTS: A total of 658 patients were evaluated at baseline and 579 were reevaluated at week 12. IUSS demonstrated good item variability. Greater urgency severity was associated with increased symptom bother and worse health related quality of life, as measured by the OAB QOL questionnaire. IUSS had a significant positive association with essential clinical and quality of life outcomes, demonstrating content validity. IUSS was highly responsive to a decrease in the average number of patient toilet voids per 24 hours to 7 or fewer toilet voids and average urge incontinence episodes per 24 hours to zero. It discriminated between patients who had above and below the median number of toilet voids and urge incontinence episodes per 24 hours. IUSS also had good test-retest reliability and content validity, and it created minimal respondent burden. CONCLUSIONS: IUSS is a validated patient reported measure of urgency severity for collecting event specific information in the context of a clinical trial.