Electronic versus paper-pencil methods for assessing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant dose-limiting toxicity.
• Accurate and efficient patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are crucial for monitoring CIPN.
• Electronic PROs offer potential advantages in data collection and patient engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of three electronic PRO measures for CIPN.
• To compare these electronic measures against the validated paper/pencil European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Scale (QLQ-CIPN20).
• To assess the validity and reliability of the PRO-CTCAE, electronic QLQ-CIPN20, and NSQ for CIPN assessment.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• 25 women with breast cancer undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy were recruited.
• Participants completed paper/pencil and electronic versions of the QLQ-CIPN20, alongside electronic PRO-CTCAE and NSQ.

Main Results:

• The electronic QLQ-CIPN20 demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha coefficients 0.76 and 0.75).
• Electronic and paper/pencil QLQ-CIPN20 versions showed mode equivalence (ICC >0.91).
• PRO-CTCAE and NSQ showed good concurrent validity with the QLQ-CIPN20 and each other.

Conclusions:

• Electronically administered PRO-CTCAE neuropathy items and NSQ are valid for clinical neuropathy screening.
• The electronic QLQ-CIPN20 is a reliable alternative to its paper version, allowing for interchangeable use.
• These findings support the integration of electronic PROs in routine clinical practice for CIPN management.