- Wenzel, Lari;
- Huang, Helen Q;
- Cella, David;
- McKinney, Chelsea O;
- Zevon, Michael A;
- LaChance, Jason A;
- Walker, Joan L;
- Salani, Ritu;
- Modesitt, Susan C;
- Morris, Robert T;
- Bradley, William H;
- Boente, Matthew P;
- von Gruenigen, Vivian E
Objectives
In a prospective study of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients, we examined whether the Disease-related Symptoms-Physical (DRS--P) scale of the NCCN/FACT-Ovarian Cancer Symptom Index-18 (NFOSI-18) is responsive to clinical change in patients estimated by their provider to survive at least six months.Methods
The NFOSI-18, and other FACT measures, was collected at study entry and 3 and 6 months post-enrollment. Measures were compared for those who died or dropped off study prior to 3 months or prior to 6 months (assumed as health deterioration over time), or those who stayed on study through 6 months (presumed as stable disease over time). Statistical analyses included a fitted linear mixed model for estimating the group differences over time, Cox regression to assess the probability of survival with patient-reported outcomes, and effect size.Results
DRS-P scores of patients who completed only one assessment were significantly lower compared to patients who were able to complete two assessments [5.9 points lower (2.0-9.8); p < 0.01], or three assessments [8.1 points lower (4.8-11.5); p < 0.01]. Measures of abdominal discomfort, functional well-being, emotional well-being, and quality of life were also significant, but treatment side effects were not. Further, in every scale except for neurotoxicity, higher (better) baseline scores were associated with a decreased likelihood of death, after adjusting for age, performance and disease status.Conclusion
The NFOSI-18 DRS-P scale is responsive to clinical change. It has potential as an indicator of changing health status with ovarian cancer disease progression, distinct from treatment side effects.