CN75 - Validation of a symptom diary for outpatients with cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy

Background

The Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) is a Dutch validated patient-reported outcome measurement tool (PROM) - based on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System - to assess and monitor symptoms in cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the added items on the treatment specific outpatient USD in cancer patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

Methods

Observational longitudinal retrospective cohort study including all adult outpatients with cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy in an academic hospital in the Netherlands who completed at least one outpatient USD as part of routine care (2012-2021). Content, criterion and construct validation were assessed.

Results

1733 patients who completed ≥1outpatient USD during intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy were included for analysis. Content validity (relevance, comprehensiveness) was shown. Criterion validation was confirmed for all added items of the outpatient USD – except for the item on oral pain. Additional analysis showed that mouth problems were detected with both outpatient USD items oral pain and dry mouth. Construct validity was confirmed for the items hair changes and skin and nail problems. Construct validity on eye problems was not tested due to the low number of paired outpatient USDs.

Conclusions

The outpatient USD is a valid PROM in outpatients with cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy. Since its validity in this broad group of patients we think the outpatient USD is widely applicable. Additionally, to providing tailored supportive symptom care, the USD-data can be used to increase knowledge about symptom burden in daily practice in this population.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The author.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

The author has declared no conflicts of interest.