FASTOCH: Feasibility of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Older Patients With Cancer-A Multicenter Prospective...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Oncology
• Digital Health
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) are known to enhance survival and quality of life in cancer patients.
• Prospective data on remote ePRO monitoring specifically in elderly populations, a significant cancer patient demographic, is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of remote ePRO monitoring in patients aged 75 and older undergoing active cancer treatment.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and use of ePROs in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter study involving 473 patients aged 75+ undergoing active anticancer treatment.
• Feasibility was assessed using intention-to-test (ITT) and per-protocol analyses based on active ePRO usage.
• Multivariate analysis was employed to identify predictors of ePRO use.

Main Results:

• Overall feasibility in the intention-to-test population was 26%, with primary failure attributed to lack of internet access in 233 patients.
• Among the 185 patients in the ITT population, 122 actively used ePROs, resulting in 66% feasibility per protocol.
• Patients with internet access and those who actively used ePROs reported better general health status.

Conclusions:

• Remote ePRO monitoring demonstrated limited feasibility (26%) in older cancer patients, primarily due to technological barriers like internet access.
• Despite challenges, a high proportion (66%) of patients with internet access successfully utilized ePROs.
• Addressing technology barriers is crucial to leverage the benefits of ePROs for improving cancer care in the elderly.