2051P - E-PRO within comprehensive companion program for patients undergoing systemic cancer treatment to reduce emergency visits and inpatient admission in a Peruvian institution

Background

The implementation process, characteristics and objectives of the companion program have been previously reported. Briefly, the program consisted of a web containing an e-PRO questionnaire platform with real time monitoring for early symptom detection and intervention, a communication channel for resolving doubts and educational resources on diagnosis, treatment and adverse events. We aimed to determine the impact of the program in terms of reduction of emergency visits (ERV) and non-planned inpatient admissions (NIA).

Methods

Case-control analysis of patients with gastrointestinal cancer receiving systemic treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or combinations) at Oncosalud between June 2021 and July 2022. Patients were divided into two cohorts according to enrollment into the companion. Incidence rate (IR), IR ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Time to first ERV and NIA curves since enrollment were constructed using the Kaplan Meier method and log rank test.

Results

In total, 199 patients were included, 97 enrolled into the program (cases). Mean age was 61.4 (±13.2), 50.3% were women and 94% were in ECOG 1-2. Chemotherapy was the most common treatment (88.4%). There were no differences in these characteristics between groups. The mean follow time was of 8.3 and 6.7 months, for cases and controls respectively. A statistically significant reduction in incidence rates was observed for both outcomes. ERV IR was 20.3 ERV per month in controls (95% CI:17.0-24.0) vs 15.1 ERV per month in cases (95%CI:12.6-18.0) which translated into a 25% decrease in ERV (IRR: 0.75 (95%CI:0.58-0.96; p=0.02)). NIA IR was 9.2 NIA per month in controls (95%CI:7.0-11.8) vs 5.9 NIA per month in cases (95%CI:4.4-7.8) which translated into a 35% decrease in NIA (IRR: 0.65 (95%CI:0.44-0.96; p=0.02)). There were no differences in time to first event for both outcomes.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that e-PRO monitoring within a comprehensive companion program for cancer patients undergoing systemic treatment achieves clinical benefits as it reduces ERV and NIA. Its potential impact on outcomes and costs is being evaluated and will be reported.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Oncosalud.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.