2Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905,USA
3Toledo Community Hospital Oncology Program, Toledo, OH, USA
Method: Two single-item assessments relating to numbness and tingling were used to measure PN. Patients’ Quality Of Life (QOL) was also assessed using the Uniscale, Symptom Distress Scale (SDS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Subject Global Impression of Change (SGIC). Wilcoxon tests compared QOL scores between patients with PN (score > 50) vs. no PN (score ≤ 50). Changes from baseline in QOL were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test with a 20-point change in PN defined as clinically meaningful. Both distribution-based and anchor-based approaches were used to derive estimates of Minimal Important Differences (MID). Standardized Response Means (SRM), Effect Sizes (ES) and Guyatt’s responsiveness statistic were used to measure responsiveness.
Results: The proportion of patients reporting numbness (tingling) at baseline was 10.7% (10.0%) and 18.4% (17.8%) at last assessment. The correlation between numbness and tingling at baseline was 0.81, and at last assessment was 0.83. Patients with substantial PN reported an average of 10 points lower overall QOL, mood and worse symptom distress and 20 points lower in the BPI interference items. Patients having a ≤ 20 point worsening in PN score reported significantly worse in symptom distress and BPI worst pain, but not in POMS or overall QOL. The MID estimates were similar between numbness and tingling items but varied depending on the approach used. Responsiveness statistics indicated that the two PN assessments are sensitive and responsive instruments for cancer patients with PN.
Conclusions: The two PN items for numbness and tingling were redundant. Evidence of criterion validity and responsiveness indicates that these simple measures of PN can be used successfully in cancer clinical trials.
Keywords: Pooled Analysis; Quality of Life; Peripheral Neuropathy; Minimum Importance Difference; Oncology Trials
To date, the commonly used physician-based instruments to assess cancer-induced PN include the National Cancer Institute - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), the World Health Organization (WHO) Common Toxicity Criteria for PN, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Grading Scale for CIPN [4-6]. These grading scales neither define grade uniformly nor define terms clearly. Hence each clinician undertakes the task of assessing peripheral neuropathy without clear points of reference and is hence forced to rely upon personal experience and specific knowledge with peripheral neuropathy which could be highly variable. This leads to subjective interpretation by the clinician and makes PN diagnosis and grading more controversial. The subjective nature of these ratings also results in substantial inter-observer and intraobserver variation in assessing PN. Moreover, current evidence suggests that physician-based assessments tend to under-report the incidence and severity of PN [7-9].
The lack of a universally recognized, standardized, valid and reliable patient-reported tool that quantifies PN symptoms makes comparisons among published studies of PN difficult. Patientreported instruments are often lengthy and do not provide extensive information about the intensity of this toxicity or the severity of resulting impairment. Therefore, the development of a new and reliable tool for assessing PN that allows early detection and captures conditions with the psychometric properties required for use in clinical and research setting would represent an important advance.
There have been more recent advances in the measurement of PN, most notably by the European Organization for the Treatment and Research in Cancer (EORTC) which produced a 20-item measure for patient-reported peripheral neuropathy (ref) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale/ Gynecologic Oncology Group–Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) questionnaire [10,11]. Other studies have looked at simple visual analogue scales and the Neuropathy Symptom Score and Neuropathy Symptoms and Change Score used in other studies [12,13]. Challenges remain however, in that the relative psychometric qualities of the various assessments has yet to be established in detecting PN, and there is no evidence comparing the more involved assessments to simple single-item measures.
The primary aim of this study was to compare and validate two single-item measures of PN using data from a series of North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) clinical trials. A secondary aim was to produce an estimate of the Minimal Important Difference (MID) for the PN measures and compare the responsiveness to clinical change of the PN measures in cancer patients.
The studies were analyzed separately and together in a pooled dataset. Results in terms of the responsiveness of the measures, and other psychometric properties were consistent across studies (data not shown). Pooling was justified as the results comparing intra-patient differences and correlation among the various PN assessments were our goals.
The Uniscale is a single-item measure of global QOL using a numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10 with well-established validity data in cancer populations [18-20].
The SDS is a valid and reliable 13-item cancer-specific instrument intended for assessing the degree of distress associated with the following 11 cancer-related symptoms as perceived by the patient: nausea, appetite, insomnia, pain, fatigue, bowel pattern, concentration, appearance, outlook, breathing, and cough. Each symptom is rated on a 1-5 Likerttype scale [21,22].
The POMS is a 37 item scale utilized to assess patients’ overall mood and specific mood items of fatigue-inertia, vigor-activity, tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility and confusion-bewilderment. It is valid for use, and is discriminative, in the evaluation of cancer- and pain-associated mood disturbance or psychological distress [23].
The BPI is a pain assessment tool that consists of 15 items to locate pain, determine pain severity, determine how the pain interferes with daily activities and assess the extent of pain relief received from analgesics [24,25]. All items except those concerning pain location and medication are measured using numeric analogue scales ranging from 0 to 10. The BPI has been widely used and has been validated for use in cancer populations [26].
The SGIC is a 7-point item in which patients rate the change in the overall status since the beginning of the study (ranging from much improved, moderately improved, minimally improved, no change, minimally worse, moderately worse, too much worse). The item has been found to be effectively discriminate treatment effects in neuropathic pain trials [27].
The QOL assessments were scored according to each tool’s established scoring algorithm. The scores were coded so that a low score was representative of poor patient condition, as necessary, and scores converted into 0–100 point scale with 100 being the best possible score for ease of interpretability and comparability between instruments with differing ranges [28-30]. Each of the two single-item PN scores is on a 0 to 10 ordinal scale and thus was also converted to a 0-100 scale. Patients were assigned a dichotomous category for substantial PN at baseline using the scoring cut-off for Clinically Deficient PN (CDPN) based on the numbness and tingling scores (CDPN of ≤ 50 vs. non-CDPN of > 50). This approach was consistent with prior work that determined a score of 50 or less on the 100-point scale was indicative of a deficit that required clinical intervention or at least further clinical investigation and assessment [30-32], Changes in scores were calculated for PN and QOL assessments using baseline and the last assessment. Patients were further categorized as becoming ≥ 20 points worse vs. < 20 points worse in PN rating as measured by the worst change from baseline in numbness or tingling [29]. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare QOL scores between assigned categorical groups [33]. Associations between PN and QOL scores were examined using Spearman correlation coefficients and the two PN assessments were compared using a Bland-Altman analysis [34,35]. Weighted kappa was used to measure agreement between the two PN assessments [36].
Both distribution-based and anchor-based approaches were used to derive estimates of Minimal Important Differences (MID), which has been defined as the smallest change in a patientreported outcome that is perceived by patients as beneficial or that would result in a change in treatment [37,38]. The anchorbased approach relied upon SGIC related to QOL, physical condition and emotional status. The distribution-based approach in this analysis applied the 1/2 standard deviation method was applied to determine the MID [39]. Only the two trials, N00C3 and N01C3 that collected SGIC at week 8 were used to determine the MID estimates.
Standardized Response Means (SRM), Effect Sizes (ES) and Guyatt’s responsiveness statistic were used to measure responsiveness. The SRM was calculated as the mean change in scores divided by the standard deviation of the change scores [40]. The ES was calculated as the mean change in scores divided by the standard deviation of the baseline scores [41,42]. Guyatt’s responsiveness statistic was calculated as the mean change in scores divided by the standard deviation of change of patients in the placebo group [43,44]. For these indices, small effects were considered higher than 0.20 but less than 0.50; moderate effects, higher than 0.50 but less than 0.80; and large effects, higher than 0.80 [45-47]. Data collection and statistical analyses were conducted by the Alliance Statistics and Data Center. Data was frozen by 12/11/2014, and statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.2.
Patients with substantial PN at baseline (CDPN ≤ 50) reported an average of 10 points lower overall QOL, SDS and POMS and 20 points lower in the BPI interference items (Table 3). Mean changes in these QOL assessments from baseline to last observation reflected greater reduction in patients having at least a 20 point decrease in PN scores over time compared to those who did not. This was true for the SDS (-1.5 vs. 1.0, respectively, P < 0.001), and the BPI. The mean difference in decline in most BPI items between the two groups was greater than 10 points, suggesting a reasonable responsiveness of these QOL components to PN (Table 4).
Patients with substantial PN at baseline (CDPN ≤ 50) reported an average of 10 points lower overall QOL, SDS and POMS and 20 points lower in the BPI interference items (Table 3). Mean changes in these QOL assessments from baseline to last observation reflected greater reduction in patients having at least a 20 point decrease in PN scores over time compared to those who did not. This was true for the SDS (-1.5 vs. 1.0, respectively, P < 0.001), and the BPI. The mean difference in decline in most BPI items between the two groups was greater than 10 points, suggesting a reasonable responsiveness of these QOL components to PN (Table 4).
Protocol |
Description |
Accrual |
Study Open |
Study Closed |
QOL Tools |
References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N00C3 |
The Efficacy of Gabapentin in the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial |
115 |
02/08/2002 |
12/05/2003 |
UNISCALE, SDS, SGIC, POMS, BPI |
RD Rao et al. [14] |
N01C3 |
The Efficacy of Lamotrigine in the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial |
131 |
02/13/2004 |
03/11/2005 |
UNISCALE, SDS, SGIC, POMS, BPI |
|
N05C3 |
The Use of Vitamin E for Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Phase III Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study |
207 |
12/01/2006 |
12/14/2007 |
Only Two single-item assessment relating to numbness and tingling |
|
N9741 |
A Randomized Phase III Trial of Combinations of Oxaliplatin (OXAL), 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), and Irinotecan (CPT-11) as Initial Treatment of Patients With Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum |
1751 |
10/27/1998 |
07/19/2002 |
UNISCALE, SDS |
Goldberg and DJ Sargent [15] |
N9841 |
A Randomized Phase III Equivalence Trial of Irinotecan (CPT-11) Versus Oxaliplatin (OXAL)/5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)/Leucovorin (CF) in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma Previously Treated With 5-FU |
507 |
11/05/1999 |
12/17/2003 |
UNISCALE, SDS |
Kim [16] |
|
Total (N = 2440) |
---|---|
Age |
|
N |
2435 |
Mean (SD) |
59.9 (11.77) |
Median |
61.0 |
Q1, Q3 |
52.0, 68.0 |
Range |
(19.0-88.0) |
Gender |
|
female |
1103 (45.2%) |
male |
1337 (54.8%) |
Race |
|
White |
2137 (87.6%) |
Black or African American |
167 (6.8%) |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
6 (0.2%) |
Asian |
28 (1.1%) |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
13 (0.5%) |
Not reported: patient refused or not available |
84 (3.4%) |
Unknown: Patient unsure |
5 (0.2%) |
Disease#Status |
|
Missing |
423 ( %) |
Measurable |
1668 (82.7%) |
Evaluable |
349 (17.3%) |
Performance#Score |
|
Missing |
931 ( %) |
0 |
838 (55.5%) |
1 |
600 (39.8%) |
2 |
71 (4.7%) |
ECOG#PS |
|
Missing |
423 ( %) |
0-1 |
1930 (95.7%) |
2 |
87 (4.3%) |
QOL |
No PN (N = 1769) |
PN (N = 227) |
Total (N = 1996) |
p value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Uniscale Overall QOL |
77.5 |
65.4 |
76.0 (19.66) |
<0.0001 |
SDS Total |
82.6 |
73.7 |
81.5 (12.97) |
<0.0001 |
POMS Total |
77.2 |
69.4 |
70.8 (13.17) |
0.0011 |
BPI Worst Pain |
66.3 |
51.6 |
54.2 (27.92) |
0.0009 |
BPI Least Pain |
86.0 |
73.6 |
75.8 (21.10) |
0.0006 |
BPI Average Pain |
72.8 |
60.1 |
62.3 (24.69) |
0.0024 |
BPI Pain Now |
79.2 |
65.5 |
67.9 (26.32) |
0.0061 |
BPI Activity Interference |
79.7 |
60.5 |
63.8 (30.94) |
0.0005 |
BPI Mood Interference |
85.8 |
65.9 |
69.4 (28.77) |
0.0002 |
BPI Walking Interference |
79.5 |
51.6 |
56.5 (33.04) |
<0.0001 |
BPI Work Interference |
73.0 |
51.1 |
55.0 (32.21) |
0.0001 |
BPI Relations Interference |
92.6 |
77.2 |
79.9 (26.17) |
0.0012 |
BPI Sleep Interference |
79.0 |
61.7 |
64.8 (32.39) |
0.0049 |
BPI Enjoyment Interference |
79.8 |
54.8 |
59.2 (33.06) |
<0.0001 |
BPI Pain Interference |
81.0 |
60.6 |
64.3 (25.93) |
<0.0001 |
QOL |
Without 20 Points Worsening (N = 980) |
With ≥ 20 Points Worsening (N = 611) |
Total (N = 1591) |
p value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Uniscale Overall QOL |
-4.9 |
-4.8 |
-4.9 (23.20) |
0.8624 |
SDS Total |
1.0 |
-1.5 |
0.0 (12.66) |
0.0002 |
POMS Total |
1.4 |
-0.8 |
1.0 (10.54) |
0.6397 |
BPI Worst Pain |
9.4 |
-7.3 |
6.4 (29.18) |
0.0193 |
BPI Least Pain |
2.4 |
-5.0 |
1.0 (23.31) |
0.0996 |
BPI Average Pain |
7.6 |
-2.9 |
5.6 (26.82) |
0.0869 |
BPI Pain Now |
5.8 |
-6.1 |
3.5 (28.83) |
0.1904 |
BPI Activity Interference |
9.1 |
-4.1 |
6.6 (32.95) |
0.0920 |
BPI Mood Interference |
7.6 |
0.4 |
6.2 (27.37) |
0.3031 |
BPI Walking Interference |
11.1 |
-0.7 |
8.9 (33.83) |
0.1812 |
BPI Work Interference |
14.8 |
-0.4 |
12.0 (34.21) |
0.0248 |
BPI Relations Interference |
5.5 |
0.7 |
4.6 (25.67) |
0.7614 |
BPI Sleep Interference |
11.6 |
0.7 |
9.5 (33.02) |
0.1834 |
BPI Enjoyment Interference |
11.9 |
2.1 |
10.1 (32.55) |
0.3590 |
BPI Pain Interference |
10.2 |
-1.2 |
8.0 (25.11) |
0.1018 |
QOL |
Numbness |
Tingling |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Correlation(r) |
95% CI |
Correlation(r) |
95% CI |
|
Uniscale Overall QOL |
0.23 |
0.18-0.28 |
0.21 |
0.16-0.25 |
SDS Total |
0.25 |
0.21-0.29 |
0.21 |
0.16-0.25 |
POMS Total |
0.16 |
0.03-0.29 |
0.23 |
0.10-0.36 |
BPI Worst Pain |
0.32 |
0.19-0.44 |
0.30 |
0.18-0.43 |
BPI Least Pain |
0.25 |
0.11-0.38 |
0.22 |
0.08-0.36 |
BPI Average Pain |
0.27 |
0.14-0.41 |
0.26 |
0.13-0.39 |
BPI Pain Now |
0.26 |
0.13-0.39 |
0.21 |
0.08-0.34 |
BPI Activity Interference |
0.35 |
0.22-0.47 |
0.30 |
0.17-0.43 |
BPI Mood Interference |
0.34 |
0.22-0.46 |
0.29 |
0.16-0.42 |
BPI Walking Interference |
0.44 |
0.33-0.56 |
0.37 |
0.25-0.49 |
BPI Work Interference |
0.41 |
0.30-0.53 |
0.38 |
0.26-0.50 |
BPI Relations Interference |
0.26 |
0.14-0.38 |
0.23 |
0.10-0.36 |
BPI Sleep Interference |
0.28 |
0.16-0.41 |
0.32 |
0.20-0.45 |
BPI Enjoyment Interference |
0.41 |
0.29-0.52 |
0.38 |
0.26-0.50 |
BPI Pain Interference |
0.43 |
0.32-0.54 |
0.39 |
0.27-0.52 |
QOL change from baseline |
Numbness change from baseline |
Tingling changes from baseline |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Correlation(r) |
95% CI |
Correlation(r) |
95% CI |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SDS Total |
0.12 |
0.07-0.18 |
0.13 |
0.08-0.18 |
POMS Total |
0.11 |
-0.06-0.28 |
0.25 |
0.09-0.41 |
BPI Worst Pain |
0.46 |
0.32-0.60 |
0.43 |
0.28-0.57 |
BPI Least Pain |
0.37 |
0.22-0.51 |
0.30 |
0.13-0.46 |
BPI Average Pain |
0.41 |
0.26-0.57 |
0.39 |
0.24-0.55 |
BPI Pain Now |
0.35 |
0.20-0.49 |
0.28 |
0.12-0.43 |
BPI Activity Interference |
0.31 |
0.17-0.45 |
0.30 |
0.15-0.45 |
BPI Mood Interference |
0.24 |
0.08-0.40 |
0.18 |
001-0.34 |
BPI Walking Interference |
0.40 |
0.26-0.55 |
0.42 |
0.28-0.56 |
BPI Work Interference |
0.42 |
0.29-0.55 |
0.43 |
0.30-0.57 |
BPI Relations Interference |
0.15 |
-0.01-0.31 |
0.14 |
-0.03-0.29 |
BPI Sleep Interference |
0.26 |
0.09-0.42 |
0.28 |
0.13-0.44 |
BPI Enjoyment Interference |
0.31 |
0.16-0.46 |
0.33 |
0.18-0.47 |
BPI Pain Interference |
0.40 |
0.26-0.54 |
0.38 |
0.24-0.53 |
Ultimately, the key finding of this pooled analysis is that the simple measures of CIPN demonstrate acceptable psychometrics including criterion validity and responsiveness indicating that these simple measures of PN can be used successfully in cancer clinical trials. While there are other measures of CIPN available, they are all longer and more complicated, representing additional burden both to the patients and clinical trial system. We are carrying out further research focusing on direct comparisons of alternative measures of CIPN to learn about the relative merits of the various assessment approaches.
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