A Survey of State Correctional Health Care Providers on Advance Care Planning: Opportunity for Collaboration With Corrections

Prison populations are rapidly aging. Persons in prison age quicker and suffer more chronic illness and disability than their nonincarcerated peers, posing challenges to caring for prisoners who are chronically ill and dying. The goal of our study was to describe state prisons' practices and policies addressing persons in prison with advanced chronic and life limiting illness through a national web-based survey of state-level prison health care professionals. In particular, we focused on advanced care planning, use of health care directives, decision-making about goals of care, including life sustaining treatments, The response rate was 22% for a sample size 152 completed surveys. The average age of respondent was 52 years; majority were female and Caucasian, and had worked in corrections more than 8 years. Nearly half were registered nurses. Most reported their prison did not have a dedicated end-of-life care program and only 11% offered a peer-care program. However, two-thirds indicated their facility provided the opportunity to designate a health care agent with physicians most likely responsible for facilitating completion of a health care directive. It is evident the care of persons aging and dying in prison is complex and requires further investigation addressing staff and prison population education, ethics guidelines for care, compassionate release, and advance care planning. This study suggests that hospice and palliative care professionals could collaborate with corrections professionals and national organizations to provide innovative education and support to enhance the humane care of this vulnerable population.

Technology-Assisted mHealth Caregiver Support to Manage Cancer Patient Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CONTEXT

Caregivers managing symptoms of family members with cancer during home hospice care, often feel ill-prepared and need patient care coaching.

OBJECTIVES

This study tested the efficacy of an automated mHealth platform that included caregiver coaching on patient symptom care and nurse notifications of poorly controlled symptoms. The primary outcome was caregiver perception of patients' overall symptom severity throughout hospice care and at weeks one, two, four, and eight. Secondary outcomes compared individual symptom severity.

METHODS

Caregivers (n = 298) were randomly assigned to the Symptom Care at Home (SCH) intervention (n = 144) or usual hospice care (UC) (n = 154). All caregivers placed daily calls to the automated system that assessed the presence and severity of 11 end-of-life patient physical and psychosocial symptoms. SCH caregivers received automated coaching on symptom care based on reported patient symptoms and their severity. Moderate-to-severe symptoms were also relayed to the hospice nurse.

RESULTS

The SCH intervention produced a mean overall symptom reduction benefit, over UC, of 4.89 severity points (95% CI 2.86-6.92) (P < 0.001), with a moderate effect size (d = 0.55). The SCH benefit also occurred at each timepoint (P < 0.001- 0.020). There was a 38% reduction in days reporting moderate-to-severe patient symptoms compared to UC (P < 0.001) with 10/11 symptoms significantly reduced in SCH compared to UC.

CONCLUSION

Automated mHealth symptom reporting by caregivers, paired with tailored caregiver coaching on symptom management and nurse notifications, reduces cancer patients' physical and psychosocial symptoms during home hospice, providing a novel and efficient approach to improving end-of-life care.

Mistrust Reported by US Mexicans With Cancer at End of Life and Hospice Enrollment

Hospice research with Hispanics mostly focuses on cultural barriers. Mindful of social justice and structural violence, we used critical grounded theory in a postcolonial theory framework to develop a grounded theory of hospice decision making in US Mexicans with terminal cancer. Findings suggest that hospice avoidance is predicted by mistrust, rather than culture, whereas hospice enrollers felt a sense of belonging. Cultural accommodation may do little to mitigate hospice avoidance rooted in discrimination-fueled mistrust. Future research with nondominant populations should employ research designs mitigating Eurocentric biases. Policy makers should consider concurrent therapy for nondominant populations with low trust in the health care system.

Valuing experiential knowledge in health promotion: a new method to build up knowledge in France

Issue

Effectiveness analyses of health promotion (HP) interventions (HPI) abound nowadays in France, but few research details how HPI work, nor explains how practitioners can translate conclusive evidence from the literature into action. Furthermore, large amounts of experiential knowledge remain untapped and undervalued. To close these gaps, a national multidisciplinary committee, comprising public officials, academics and practitioners, has worked since 2016 at designing a new method to build up knowledge in HP.

CEKHP

The method aims at Capitalizing, collecting and circulating Experiential Knowledge in HP (CEKHP).

Committee members first investigated methods used in other countries to synthesize and share practical evidence, then drafted and experimented CEKHP in 11 different settings to test its relevance and applicability.

Results

Key components of CEKHP are: 1/CEKHP consists in in-depth semi-structured interviews and offers a guideline template adjustable for various contexts and multiple public health issues (behaviors, environments, etc.); 2/a trained outsider, mastering 7 core competencies, must conduct CEKHP; 3/CEKHP includes a framework for reporting key mechanisms that influence HPI outcomes. Detailed mechanisms include: context, partnerships, key steps, barriers and levers, ethics, theoretical foundations (intervention models, evidence-based literature, etc.), transferability. A guidebook and a toolkit are published in 2020. CEKHP successfully disseminates within the French HP community. It is currently used as the main data collection tool in a research project investigating health promoting sports clubs (PROCeSS) and in a practice-focused project documenting tobacco prevention (DCAP).

Lessons

Practitioners benefit from access to knowledge on how HPI work. CEKHP offers new tools to value and disseminate experiential knowledge. Given that policymakers increasingly prioritize funding in France on documented HPI, providing such tools and training is crucial.

Key messages

CEKHP offers a new method in the French context that has proven fruitful in various settings, for various public health issues, and can be useful to practitioners and researchers alike. Building up experiential knowledge with and for practitioners can be effective at both documenting practices and helping them gain new skills and better understanding of their interventions.

Joining forces to build up knowledge in health promotion: lessons from a French coalition initiative

Issue

French public health authorities increasingly rationalize access to public funding, favoring evidence-based programs. Health Promotion (HP) interventions are especially urged to prove their efficiency in this context. To tackle this issue, HP practitioners hold experiential knowledge (EK) that proves useful to assess both the complexity and efficiency of HP interventions. United by this conviction in a multidisciplinary coalition, HP experts from various backgrounds came together five years ago to promote Experiential Knowledge in HP (EKHP) in France.

A national committee to promote EKHP

670 HP practitioners were surveyed in 2016. Results reported vast amounts of under-documented and often untapped field expertise in HP and numerous obstacles regarding access to scientific literature or systematic reviews. Consequently, the coalition launched a National Committee for EKHP, meeting 5 times a year since 2016. Members of 6 national HP organizations, of 4 regional HP institutes, national and local public health administrators, researchers, consultants and field workers participate. Steered by the French Society for Public Health and the National Federation for Health Education and Promotion, the committee devised a threefold action plan: 1/ advocate EKHP in all relevant institutional spaces, 2/ develop tools for EKHP, 3/ mobilize for EKHP at the local level.

Results

The committee designed a method for capitalizing, collecting and circulating EK and published in 2020 a guidebook and a toolkit. French Public Health authorities agreed to share EK nationwide on their online portal. Dissemination within the French HP community has started, through the committee members' networks, and will be amplified with a training program launched in 2021 at the National School of Public Health.

Lessons

Attention must be brought to HP practitioners’ experiential knowledge, both to recognize HP practitioners' expertise and to help improve the understanding of how HP interventions work.

Key messages

Experiential knowledge in HP remains undervalued and untapped in France. Dedicated practitioners, policymakers and researchers formed a multidisciplinary committee to promote and disseminate EKHP. A multilevel strategy combining advocacy and tool building can be effective at promoting experiential knowledge. A multidisciplinary coalition provided the necessary context-specific levers in France.

Deaf-Blind Clients and Vocational Rehabilitation: Practical Guidelines for Counselors

This article presents suggestions and proved effective strategies for determining the eligibility of, conducting diagnostic workups for, and providing vocational rehabilitation services to deaf-blind individuals. It emphasizes that the optimal rehabilitation process for such clients begins before the clients transfer from educational programs.

SAT0213 IMPACT OF FLARES ON HEALTHCARE RESOURCE USAGE AND PROS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS

Background:

The effect of flares on healthcare resource usage and patient-reported outcome scores in SLE patients is not well quantified.

Objectives:

To understand how flares impact healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and patient-reported outcomes amongst an international real-world dataset of SLE patients.

Methods:

The Adelphi Real World 2015 Lupus Disease Specific Programme (DSP) is a cross-sectional study of 263 rheumatologists in the US and EU5. Rheumatologists were asked to complete patient record forms (PRFs) for the next 5 prospectively consulting SLE patients; the same patients were asked to complete patient self-completion (PSC) forms describing how SLE affected them. PRFs collected data pertaining to the patient’s diagnosis, disease history, current clinical outcomes, treatment and management history. PSCs collected similar data and included patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) to assess humanistic burden. Propensity score matching was used to assess differences in HCRU and health status between SLE patients who had flared (physician defined) in the last 12 months and those who had not. Matching variables were patient ethnicity, time since diagnosis, and severity at diagnosis. Data were extracted from 1278 PRFs, and 591 PSCs. Propensity score matching was carried out on two matched groups of 408 patients.

Results:

Demographic data are reported in Table 1. Propensity score matching showed patients who flared in the last 12 months experienced significantly greater hospitalizations, visits to the ER, and total HCP consults in the last 12 months. Significantly greater drug burden lower physician and patient satisfaction, lower EQ-5D score (worse health status), lower FACIT Fatigue score (greater fatigue), and greater overall work impairment (Table 2) were also observed.

Table 1.

Demographic data

VariableFlared in last 12 monthsNot flared in the last 12 monthsMean age (years)41.842.4% Female86.087.0% White/Caucasian66.276.3Mean years diagnosed5.95.4Table 2.

Propensity score matching results

Outcome variableFlared meanNot flared meanCoefficient95% CIp-valueHospitalisations in last 12 months24.267.630.17[0.12 – 0.21]<0.001Emergency department visits in last 12 months20.834.190.17[0.12 – 0.21]<0.001Number of tests in last 12 months46.4938.907.59[3.74 – 11.44]<0.001Number of current medications2.762.190.57[0.43 – 0.72]<0.001Physician satisfied64.4686.63-0.22[-0.28 – -0.17]<0.001Patient satisfied69.2985.09-0.16[-0.24 – -0.08]<0.001EQ-5D-3L0.720.83-0.11[-0.15 – -0.07]<0.001FACIT Fatigue30.0636.48-6.42[-8.5 – -4.3]<0.001WPAI overall percentage work impairment42.7430.2312.5[7.51 – 17.50]<0.001

Conclusion:

The analysis of international real-world data confirmed that SLE patients who flared in the last year represent a greater burden on healthcare resource and demonstrate significantly worse health status, greater fatigue, lower patient and physician satisfaction and greater overall work impairment compared with non-flaring patients. There is a need for more effective treatments in this patient population to reduce patient and healthcare burden.

Study funded by Johnson and Johnson.

Disclosure of Interests:

Zahi Touma Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Ben Hoskin Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Christian Atkinson Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, David Bell Consultant of: Janssen, Olivia Massey Consultant of: Janssen, Jennifer H. Lofland Employee of: Janssen, Pamela Berry Employee of: Janssen, Chetan Karyekar Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Consultant of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC. Previously, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Labs., Karen Costenbader Grant/research support from: Merck, Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca

AB1332-HPR ASSESSING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE OF LUPUS NEPHRITIS: DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL AND REVIEW OF EXISTING PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME (PRO) MEASURES

Background:

Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the kidneys as a result of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Approximately 50% of SLE patients will develop LN, which is considered to be one of the most severe manifestations of SLE and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE. While there is ample existing evidence on disease experience and PROs used in extra-renal SLE, little research has been done in LN. Qualitative interviews with patients can help identify concepts that are both important and relevant to the patient. In order to effectively evaluate treatment benefit, it is critical that PRO measures used to assess such concepts and define clinical trial endpoints are fit for purpose and have strong evidence of content validity in the specific context of use.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to understand the patient experience of LN and to identify and characterize the signs and symptoms of LN and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through the development of a disease-specific conceptual model. This model was then used to evaluate the content validity of existing PRO measures available for use in LN.

Methods:

A structured literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase and PsycINFO to identify qualitative research articles documenting the patient experience of LN. PRO measures developed or commonly used to assess patient experiences of LN were also identified. Semi-structured concept elicitation interviews were conducted with 15 adult patients in the US with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of LN (defined in accordance with established clinical guidelines). Supplementary qualitative data were also collected from a review of publicly available online blogs/forums. Findings were used to inform the development of a conceptual model detailing the impact of LN signs, symptoms and HRQoL and evaluate the validity of existing measures used within LN.

Results:

Searches revealed a paucity of qualitative research conducted with LN patients, supporting the need for prospective research in LN. Consistent with existing literature in SLE, the core signs and symptoms identified from the qualitative literature review, interviews and blog/forum review included joint pain, fatigue, joint stiffness, swelling (particularly in the extremities) and skin rashes. LN patients also reported urinary frequency, urgency, foamy urine and blood in their urine. Disease impact on physical functioning, activities of daily living, emotions, social life, work/finances and sleep were reported. PRO measures commonly used to evaluate patient experiences in LN included the SF-36, LupusQOL, LupusPRO, SLE Symptom Checklist, KDQoL and KSQ. Conceptual mapping of instruments against the newly developed conceptual model (Figure 1) highlighted that no single measure provides a comprehensive assessment of all symptoms/impact important to LN patients. Furthermore, items are largely focused on impact of symptoms with few items on symptom severity.

Figure 1.

Conceptual model of lupus nephritis symptoms and associated impacts

Conclusion:

The presentation of signs and symptoms in LN patients appears similar to those reported in extra-renal SLE populations, with the addition of swelling and urinary symptoms. Qualitative research with LN patients guided the development of a comprehensive LN conceptual model outlining the disease experience from the patients’ perspective. These insights can be useful to inform PRO measurement strategies for clinical trials in LN.

Acknowledgments:

With thanks to Dr. Betty Diamond and Dr. David Wofsy for their collaboration and helpful insights

Disclosure of Interests:

Pamela Berry Employee of: Janssen, Kate Burrows Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract, Rebecca Hall Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract., Adam Gater Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract, Helena Bradley Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract, Amy Ward Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract, Chloe Tolley Consultant of: Adelphi Values a health outcomes research company commissioned by Janssen to conduct the research reported in this abstract, Patricia Delong Employee of: Janssen, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC

THU0246 DIAGNOSTIC CLUSTER PROFILING OF PATIENTS IN A REAL-WORLD DATA SET WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:

Previous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) studies have identified potential clusters of SLE clinical manifestations post diagnosis.

Objectives:

To describe the presentation of SLE at diagnosis across different cohorts of patients and describe management and outcomes after diagnosis within clusters.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study of 263 rheumatologists in the US and EU5. Data were collected from the Adelphi Real World 2015 Lupus Disease Specific Programme. Rheumatologists completed patient record forms (PRFs) for the next 5 prospectively consulting SLE patients; these patients completed patient self-completion (PSC) forms describing how SLE affected them. PRF data includes patient’s characteristics and management history. PSCs focused on similar data collection, including patient reported outcome measures on the humanistic burden. Age at diagnosis, symptoms at diagnosis, organ involvement at diagnosis, and severity at diagnosis were used as covariates in a latent cluster analysis.

Results:

Data were extracted from 1376 PRFs. Cluster analysis resulted in up to 6 clusters, and disease understanding led to the selection of a 4-cluster solution.

Cluster 1 displayed the mildest disease, characterised by joint involvement, while cluster 2 displayed more skin involvement in conjunction with joint. Cluster 3 were characterised by renal involvement and cluster 4 had skin and joint involvement, but also high constitutional and haematological involvement at diagnosis (Table 1).

Table 1

Cluster analysis

ClustersOrgan involvement at diagnosis, n (%)Overall(n=1304)1(n=210)2(n=493)3(n=162)4(n=439)p-valueMusculoskeletal1145 (87.8)174 (82.9)444 (90.1)134 (82.7)393 (89.5)0.0065Mucocutaneous898 (68.9)5 (2.4)397 (80.5)95 (58.6)401 (91.3)<0.0001Neuropsychiatric87 (6.7)19 (9.0)9 (1.8)16 (9.9)43 (9.8)<0.0001Cardiorespiratory176 (13.5)36 (17.1)14 (2.8)22 (13.6)104 (23.7)<0.0001Gastrointestinal44 (3.4)8 (3.0)14 (2.8)8 (4.9)14 (3.2)0.6115Opthalmic47 (3.6)020 (4.1)10 (6.2)17 (3.9)0.0102Renal213 (16.6)15 (7.1)9 (1.8)162 (100)27 (6.2)<0.0001Constitutional425 (32.6)45 (21.4)89 (18.1)55 (34.0)236 (53.8)<0.0001Haematological452 (34.7)64 (30.5)22 (4.5)80 (49.4(286 (65.1)<0.0001Severity at diagnosis, n (%)Mild209 (16.0)55 (26.2)99 (20.1)1 (0.6)54 (12.3)<0.0001Moderate806 (61.8)122 (58.1)324 (65.7)75 (46.3)285 (64.9)Severe289 (22.2)33 (15.7)70 (14.2)86 (53.1)100 (22.8)

Significant between-cluster differences were observed when comparing outcomes; cluster 4 have been diagnosed longest (mean weeks diagnosed 354.6 v. 1: 232.6, 2: 228.7, 3: 338.2, p<0.0001). Cluster 3 consulted more in the last 12 months (mean number of visits 7.9 vs. 1: 5.7, 2: 6.3, 4: 7.6).

Significant differences were also observed between clusters in relation to current treatment proportions: corticosteroid (highest cluster 3: 78.4%), immunosuppressant (highest cluster 3: 75.3%), biologic DMARD (highest cluster 4: 17.8%) and antidepressant (highest cluster 4: 4.1%).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the heterogeneity of SLE at diagnosis and highlights four distinct presentations of the disease at diagnosis. Significant proportions of patients present with advanced disease, these clusters go on to present the greatest burden demonstrating the need for better diagnostic tools and novel earlier intervention.

Study funded by Johnson and Johnson.

Disclosure of Interests:

Zahi Touma Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Ben Hoskin Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Christian Atkinson Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, David Bell Consultant of: Janssen, Olivia Massey Consultant of: Janssen, Jennifer H. Lofland Employee of: Janssen, Pamela Berry Employee of: Janssen, Chetan Karyekar Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Consultant of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC. Previously, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Labs., Karen Costenbader Grant/research support from: Merck, Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca

AB1170 THE IMPACT OF HIGH DISEASE ACTIVITY AS MEASURED BY SLEDAI AND DRUG BURDEN-ON HEALTHCARE UTILIZATION, QUALITY OF LIFE AND WORK PRODUCTIVITY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS

Background:

Although there is abundant literature on healthcare utilization in SLE patients, the impact of disease activity in SLE patients is not well understood.

Objectives:

To quantify the impact of disease activity, as measured by SLEDAI score and drug burden, in SLE patients on health care resource utilization (HCRU), health related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity (WP).

Methods:

Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 754 rheumatologists in US and EU5 from the Adelphi Real World 2010/2013/2015 Lupus Disease Specific Programmes (DSP). Physicians were asked to complete patient record forms (PRFs) for the next 5 prospectively consulting SLE patients; the same patients were asked to complete patient self-completion (PSC) forms describing how SLE affected them. PRFs collected data pertaining to the patient’s diagnosis, disease history, current clinical outcomes, treatment and management history. PSCs focused on similar data collection and included patient reported outcome measures (PROs). Propensity score matching was used to assess differences in HCRU and PRO scores between SLE patients who had a low disease activity and those who had a high disease activity. Low disease activity was defined as a SLEDAI score of ≤4, a steroid dose of <7.5mg/day, and not on immunosuppressant or biologic. High disease activity was a SLEDAI score of >4, or on an immunosuppressant, biologic, or steroid dose of >7.5mg/day. Patients were matched on age, sex, and ethnicity.

Results:

Data was extracted from 1278 PRFs, and 591 PSCs. Using the estimated propensity score each low disease activity patient (n=44) was matched with a high disease activity patient (n=1187). Using 1:1 matching, with replacement and allowing for ties, matching resulted in 414 high disease activity patients being used as matches for 44 low disease activity patients. Demographic data are reported in Table 1. Patients with a low disease activity were significantly less likely to be currently flaring, lower number of flares in last 12 months, less likely to have been hospitalized in the last 12 months, had fewer consultations in the last 12 months, reported better HrQoL (EQ5D), more favourable levels of fatigue (FACIT), and lower work impairment (WPAI). (Table 2).

Table 1.

Demographic data

VariableLow disease activityHigh disease activityMean age (years)38.140.0% Female90.788.2% White/Caucasian76.767.7Mean years diagnosed5.55.0Table 1.

Propensity score matching results

Outcome variableLow activity meanHigh activity meanCoefficient95% CIp-valueFlared in the last 12 months11.6337.97-0.26[-0.38 – -0.14]<0.001Number of flares in last 12 months0.210.70-0.49[-0.72 - -0.26]<0.001Hospitalised in last 12 months4.6514.98-0.10[-0.17 – -0.04]0.001Number of consults in last 12 months2.843.52-0.68[-1.19 – -0.17]0.009EQ-5D-3L0.780.880.10[0.03 – 0.17]0.004FACIT Fatigue34.6839.865.19[0.80 – 9.57]0.02WPAI overall percentage work impairment14.4245.35-30.93[-45.32 – -16.54]<0.001

Conclusion:

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients with lower levels of disease activity are less burdensome to the healthcare system and experience a significantly better HRQoL and lower levels of productivity impairment. There is a need to establish a universal definition of low disease activity as a treatment goal to benefit patient quality of life and reduce HCRU.

Study funded by Johnson and Johnson.

Disclosure of Interests:

Zahi Touma Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Ben Hoskin Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, Christian Atkinson Consultant of: Consultant for Janssen, David Bell Consultant of: Janssen, James Pike Consultant of: Janssen, Jennifer H. Lofland Employee of: Janssen, Pamela Berry Employee of: Janssen, Chetan Karyekar Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Consultant of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC. Previously, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Labs., Karen Costenbader Grant/research support from: Merck, Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca

How to build and share an experiential knowledge in public health?

Key messages

This work opens the way for an original reflection in public health to build a shareable experiential knowledge, and to valorize and strengthen field actors’ practical expertise. This work has pedagogical, political, scientific and informational impacts. It contributes to knowledge transfer and provides self-training, a practical vision of policies, and questions for research.

The induction of core pluripotency master regulators in cancers defines poor clinical outcomes and treatment resistance

Stem cell characteristics have been associated with treatment resistance and poor prognosis across many cancer types. The ability to induce and regulate the pathways that sustain these characteristic hallmarks of lethal cancers in a novel in vitro model would greatly enhance our understanding of cancer progression and treatment resistance. In this work, we present such a model, based simply on applying standard pluripotency/embryonic stem cell media alone. Core pluripotency stem cell master regulators (OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) along with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (Snail, Slug, vimentin and N-cadherin) were induced in human prostate, breast, lung, bladder, colorectal, and renal cancer cells. RNA sequencing revealed pathways activated by pluripotency inducing culture that were shared across all cancers examined. These pathways highlight a potential core mechanism of treatment resistance. With a focus on prostate cancer, the culture-based induction of core pluripotent stem cell regulators was shown to promote survival in castrate conditions—mimicking first line treatment resistance with hormonal therapies. This acquired phenotype was shown to be mediated through the upregulation of iodothyronine deiodinase DIO2, a critical modulator of the thyroid hormone signalling pathway. Subsequent inhibition of DIO2 was shown to supress expression of prostate specific antigen, the cardinal clinical biomarker of prostate cancer progression and highlighted a novel target for clinical translation in this otherwise fatal disease. This study identifies a new and widely accessible simple preclinical model to recreate and explore underpinning pathways of lethal disease and treatment resistance.

Patient experience in systemic lupus erythematosus: development of novel patient-reported symptom and patient-reported impact measures

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive assessment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its treatment requires patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to capture impacts and fluctuating symptoms. The objective of this study was to develop PROs, in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) PRO Guidance, to assess fluctuations in SLE symptoms and its impact.

METHODS

Following independent review board approval, six US rheumatology practices recruited patients with SLE to participate in concept elicitation (CE) interviews, in order to identify important SLE symptoms and their impacts. The SLE Symptom Severity Diary (SSD) and SLE Impact Questionnaire (SIQ) were drafted based on CE interview results and clinician input. The PROs were revised based on patient feedback from cognitive debriefing (CD) interviews, clinician feedback, and a translatability assessment.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients completed CE interviews. Commonly-reported symptoms included fatigue (98%), joint pain (93%), and rash (88%). The most frequently reported impact was difficulty with chores/housework (61%). Eighteen patients completed CD interviews. The PROs were considered comprehensive, clear, and relevant.The SSD contains 17 items assessing energy/vitality, joint and muscle pain/stiffness/swelling, flu-like symptoms, cognition, numbness/tingling, skin symptoms and hair loss using an 11-point numeric response scale and a 24-h recall period (with the exception of hair loss). It also evaluates steroid status and dose. The SIQ contains 50 items, uses a 5-point Likert scale and a 7-day recall period, to assess disease impacts including patients' ability to make plans, work, and physical/social/emotional functioning.

CONCLUSION

The SSD and SIQ are comprehensive SLE-specific PROs developed in accordance with the FDA PRO Guidance. Following assessment of their measurement properties, they may be useful in clinical studies and clinical practice to measure fluctuations in, and the impact of, symptoms in patients with SLE.

The Symptom Experience in Rectal Cancer Survivors

CONTEXT

As the number of rectal cancer survivors grows, it is important to understand the symptom experience after treatment. Although data show that rectal cancer survivors experience a variety of symptoms after diagnosis, little has been done to study the way these symptoms are grouped and associated.

OBJECTIVES

To determine symptom prevalence and intensity in rectal cancer survivors and if clusters of survivors exist, who share similar symptom-defined survivor subgroups that may vary based on antecedent variables.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of the Cancer Care and Outcomes Research and Surveillance database was undertaken. Cluster analysis was performed on 15-month postdiagnosis data to form post-treatment survivor subgroups, and these were examined for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics. Data were analyzed using cluster analysis, chi-square, and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

A total of 275 rectal cancer survivors were included who had undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Most frequently reported symptoms included feeling "worn out" (87%), feeling "tired" (85%), and "trouble sleeping" (66%). Four symptom-defined survivor subgroups (minimally symptomatic n = 40, tired and trouble sleeping n = 138, moderate symptoms n = 42, and highly symptomatic n = 55) were identified with symptom differences existing among each subgroup. Age and being married/partnered were the only two antecedents found to differ across subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This study documents differences in the symptom experience after treatment. The identification of survivor subgroups allows researchers to further investigate tailored, supportive care strategies to minimize ongoing symptoms in those with the greatest symptom burden.

The well-being of adult children while caring for a parent in home hospice: Evaluation of an automated remote monitoring and coaching system

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Background: Health and well-being often deteriorates for family caregivers providing home hospice care. This includes adult children managing multiple demands while supporting their parent to remain at home. Automated remote monitoring of patient symptoms has shown promise in home cancer care and could be extended for monitoring and supporting the wellbeing of adult child caregivers (ACC) providing care to their parent at home. Methods: In a RCT, 97 ACCs were monitored using a telephone based automated reporting and coaching system, and randomly assigned to the ACC care intervention (Rx) (N = 51) or usual care (UC) (N = 46). All ACCs were asked to call the system daily reporting presence and severity (0-10 scale) of their own fatigue, poor sleep, depressed mood, anxiety and interference with normal activities. The Rx ACCs received automated tailored coaching based on reported patterns of moderate to severe symptom levels and alert reports were also sent to their hospice nurse. Results: ACCs were females (78%) with a mean age of 51. There were no differences between groups on any demographic or baseline measures. Utilizing negative binomial modeling, Rx ACCs had significantly fewer days/week of moderate-severe symptoms overall (.6 vs 2.4, p < .001) and for each individual symptom (all p < .001). Among those attempting to maintain work, Rx ACCs were able to work 80% of work days and UC ACCs worked 68% of work days. Six weeks after their parent’s death, there was a statistical trend (p = .07) for Rx ACCs to be less depressed than UC ACCs (11.94 vs 18.04). This is a clinically significant finding as UC ACCs’ CESD scores were at the clinically actionable level ( > 16) for referral for evaluation of depression. Rx ACCs’ CESD scores had dropped an average of 1.37 points below their baseline whereas UC ACCs’ scores had increased an average of 3.86 points from baseline at 6 weeks post death. Conclusions: Automated remote monitoring and coaching for adult child family caregivers offers impressive benefit in reducing the physical burden and psychosocial distress of caregiving during and after parental hospice care. Clinical trial information: NCT02112461.

Antipsychotic medication prescribing in children enrolled in Medicaid

BACKGROUND

Although the increase in treatment of children and adolescents with antipsychotic medications has been well documented, much less is known about the factors related to the use of these agents and how closely the treatment follows best practice recommendations.

METHODS

Prescribers of each antipsychotic medication prescription issued for a Medicaid-insured child in Vermont aged <18 years were sent a prior authorization survey that assessed several domains including the clinical indication, other treatments, metabolic monitoring, prescriber specialty, and prescription origin. These variables were combined to categorize prescriptions as following indications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and best practice guidelines.

RESULTS

The response rate of the survey was 80%, with 677 surveys from 147 prescribers available for analysis; more than one-half of the respondents were primary care clinicians. Overall, the clinical indication for an antipsychotic prescription followed best practice guidelines 91.7% of the time, with overall best practice guidelines followed at a rate of 50.1%. An FDA indication was followed in 27.2% of cases. Psychiatrists were significantly more likely to follow best practice guidelines than nonpsychiatrists. Antipsychotic medications were typically used only after other pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments were ineffective, although previous treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy was uncommon (15.5%). Metabolic monitoring that included serial laboratory tests was reported in 57.2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Current prescribing patterns of antipsychotic medications for children and adolescents follow best practice guidelines approximately one-half of the time, with nonadherence often related to lack of metabolic monitoring.

Helping cancer-family caregivers with end-of-life home symptom management: Initial evaluation of an automated symptom monitoring and coaching system

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Background: Family caregivers face the task of providing end of life care (EOL) in the home setting and need effective caregiving support. Although not previously tested in EOL care, automated symptom monitoring has shown promise for cancer patients on active treatment. This study tests an automated monitoring and coaching system for family caregivers during home hospice. Methods: Family Caregivers (FC) of hospice cancer patients (PT) (N=243 dyads) were monitored daily using an automated telephone symptom monitoring system, and randomly assigned to receive the symptom care intervention (SC) (N=119) or usual care (UC) (N=124). All FCs called the monitoring system daily, reporting by proxy, past 24 hour presence, severity and FC distress on 11 common PT symptoms (0–10 scale). In addition, FCs reported their own fatigue, sleep, mood and anxiety severity (0-10 scale). The SC intervention FCs received automated tailored symptom care coaching based on reported patterns; in addition symptoms moderate or greater generated alerts to their hospice nurse. Results: Most FCs and PTs were White (95; 94%), 66% of FCs and 48% of PTs were female with the Mean age for FCs 60 and 73 for PTs. Most frequent PT symptoms were fatigue (70%), pain (64%), poor appetite (54%), anxiety (39%), and change in thinking (38%). PT symptom severity levels were highly related to FC distress. Preliminary analyses indicates that FC vitality (FC combined symptoms) improved more in the SC group (p=.003, mixed effects model). Furthermore PT symptom severity, categorized as Mild (<=3), Moderate (4-6), or Severe (>=7), provided strong preliminary evidence of SC intervention benefit in each of the first four weeks in hospice care and overall (p=.003). Rapid onset of the SC benefit was suggested by Kaplan-Meier analysis of time to first all-zero symptom profile (p=.06 log-rank). The benefit of the SC intervention continued throughout the hospice stay until the last several days of life when there was no difference with UC. Conclusions: This is the first reported evaluation of automated symptom monitoring in home EOL care and provides strong preliminary evidence of benefit for cancer family caregivers and patients. Clinical trial information: NCT02112461.

Structurally diverse MDM2-p53 antagonists act as modulators of MDR-1 function in neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

A frequent mechanism of acquired multidrug resistance in human cancers is overexpression of ATP-binding cassette transporters such as the Multi-Drug Resistance Protein 1 (MDR-1). Nutlin-3, an MDM2-p53 antagonist, has previously been reported to be a competitive MDR-1 inhibitor.

METHODS

This study assessed whether the structurally diverse MDM2-p53 antagonists, MI-63, NDD0005, and RG7388 are also able to modulate MDR-1 function, particularly in p53 mutant neuroblastoma cells, using XTT-based cell viability assays, western blotting, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

Verapamil and the MDM2-p53 antagonists potentiated vincristine-mediated growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner when used in combination with high MDR-1-expressing p53 mutant neuroblastoma cell lines at concentrations that did not affect the viability of cells when given alone. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses showed that verapamil, Nutlin-3, MI-63 and NDD0005, but not RG7388, led to increased intracellular levels of vincristine in high MDR-1-expressing cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that in addition to Nutlin-3, other structurally unrelated MDM2-p53 antagonists can also act as MDR-1 inhibitors and reverse MDR-1-mediated multidrug resistance in neuroblastoma cell lines in a p53-independent manner. These findings are important for future clinical trial design with MDM2-p53 antagonists when used in combination with agents that are MDR-1 substrates.

Tumour cell retention of rucaparib, sustained PARP inhibition and efficacy of weekly as well as daily schedules

Background:

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) exploit tumour-specific defects in homologous recombination DNA repair and continuous dosing is most efficacious. Early clinical trial data with rucaparib suggested that it caused sustained PARP inhibition. Here we investigate the mechanism of this durable inhibition and potential exploitation.

Methods:

Uptake and retention of rucaparib and persistence of PARP inhibition were determined by radiochemical and immunological assays in human cancer cell lines. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rucaparib were determined in tumour-bearing mice and the efficacy of different schedules of rucaparib was determined in mice bearing homologous recombination DNA repair-defective tumours.

Results:

Rucaparib accumulation is carrier mediated (Km=8.4±1.2 μM, Vmax=469±22 pmol per 10⁶ cells per 10 min), reaching steady-state levels >10 times higher than the extracellular concentration within 30 min. Rucaparib is retained in cells and inhibits PARP ⩾50% for ⩾72 h days after a 30-min pulse of 400 nM. In Capan-1 tumour-bearing mice rucaparib accumulated and was retained in the tumours, and PARP was inhibited for 7 days following a single dose of 10 mg kg⁻¹ i.p or 150 mg kg⁻¹ p.o. by 70% and 90%, respectively. Weekly dosing of 150 mg kg⁻¹ p.o once a week was as effective as 10 mg kg⁻¹ i.p daily for five days every week for 6 weeks in delaying Capan-1 tumour growth.

Conclusions:

Rucaparib accumulates and is retained in tumour cells and inhibits PARP for long periods such that weekly schedules have equivalent anticancer activity to daily dosing in a pre-clinical model, suggesting that clinical evaluation of alternative schedules of rucaparib should be considered.

Reflective research: supporting researchers engaged in analyzing end-of-life communication

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this commentary are to: (1) identify unique aspects of communication at end-of-life as compared to more commonly studied healthcare encounters; (2) outline challenges and opportunities research team members may encounter in coding and analyzing end-of-life communication; and (3) offer recommendations for quantitative communication research teams. This commentary is based on ours and others' experiences in studying the communication among patients with terminal illnesses, their families and their providers. Provider-patient/caregiver communication at end-of-life has some differences as compared to other forms of healthcare communication and, thus, has implications for researcher response. Challenges and opportunities for research team members include gaining new knowledge, developing feelings of attachment to study participants, burn-out, and emotional and existential impact on personal life. Practical and psychological considerations for conducting end-of-life communication research are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Researchers engaged in the study of end-of-life interactions may experience unique challenges, potentially compromising the validity of the research results and interpretation of communication processes. A balance between likely coder emotions and objectivity must be achieved.

IMPLICATIONS

Anticipating and facilitating the research teams' reactions to end-of-life interactions while still maintaining scientific standards may be achieved by using a reflective, mindful approach.

Hospice nurse communication with patients with cancer and their family caregivers

BACKGROUND

Effective communication by hospice nurses enhances symptom management for the patient, reduces family caregiver burden and distress, and potentially improves bereavement adjustment. However, research has not kept pace with the rising use of hospice by patients with cancer and thus we know little about how hospice nurses communicate.

METHODS

The overriding objective of this pilot study was to provide insight into these in-home visits. Hospice nurses audiorecorded their interactions over time with family caregivers and patients with cancer. The communication within these tapes was coded using Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that tape recording home hospice nurse visits was feasible. RIAS was suited to capture the general content and process of the home hospice encounter and the coded interactions show the range of topics and emotions that are evident in the dialogue. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.

What is the effect of physical activity on the knee joint? A systematic review

PURPOSE

Although several studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and knee osteoarthritis, the effect of physical activity on knee joint health is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationships between physical activity and individual joint structures at the knee.

METHODS

Computer-aided searches were conducted up until November 2008, and the reference lists of key articles were examined. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed based on established criteria, and a best-evidence synthesis was used to summarize the results.

RESULTS

We found that the relationships between physical activity and individual joint structures at the knee differ. There was strong evidence for a positive association between physical activity and tibiofemoral osteophytes. However, we also found strong evidence for the absence of a relationship between physical activity and joint space narrowing, a surrogate method of assessing cartilage. Moreover, there was limited evidence from magnetic resonance imaging studies for a positive relationship between physical activity and cartilage volume and strong evidence for an inverse relationship between physical activity and cartilage defects.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review found that knee structures are affected differently by physical activity. Although physical activity is associated with an increase in radiographic osteophytes, there was no related increase in joint space narrowing, rather emerging evidence of an associated increase in cartilage volume and decrease in cartilage defects on magnetic resonance imaging. Given that optimizing cartilage health is important in preventing osteoarthritis, these findings indicate that physical activity is beneficial, rather than detrimental, to joint health.

Variation in rates of hip and knee joint replacement in Australia based on socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status

BACKGROUND

Our understanding of the incidence of joint replacement across different subgroups of the Australian population is limited. This study investigated whether rates of hip and knee joint replacement vary according to socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status.

METHODS

Data from the National Hospital Morbidity Database were obtained. All separations for primary hip or knee joint replacement with the principal diagnosis of arthritis were identified. Age-standardized procedure rates were compared based on socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status.

RESULTS

Compared with age- and gender-matched individuals, rates of joint replacement overall were significantly lower in people living in the most disadvantaged (P < 0.05) and remote areas (P < 0.001), people born outside Australia (P < 0.05) and indigenous people (P < 0.001). However, there were some exceptions. Knee replacement rates were higher in the most disadvantaged areas than in the least disadvantaged areas (P < 0.01), and both hip and knee replacement rates were higher in regional areas than in major cities (P < 0.05). Males and females born in New Zealand and females born in the United Kingdom, Ireland and parts of Europe had a greater rate of hip replacement, and females from North Africa and the Middle East had a greater rate of knee replacement, than Australia-born people (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variation in the rates of primary total hip and knee replacement in Australia. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this simply reflects patterns of disease and disease risk factors, or is because of inequalities in health care, unmet need, and/or surgical or patient-related factors.

Development and first validation of the COPD Assessment Test

There is need for a validated short, simple instrument to quantify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impact in routine practice to aid health status assessment and communication between patient and physician. Current health-related quality of life questionnaires provide valid assessment of COPD, but are complex, which limits routine use. The aim of the present study was to develop a short validated patient-completed questionnaire, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), assessing the impact of COPD on health status. 21 candidate items identified through qualitative research with COPD patients were used in three prospective international studies (Europe and the USA, n = 1,503). Psychometric and Rasch analyses identified eight items fitting a unidimensional model to form the CAT. Items were tested for differential functioning between countries. Internal consistency was excellent: Cronbach's alpha = 0.88. Test re-test in stable patients (n = 53) was very good (intra-class correlation coefficient 0.8). In the sample from the USA, the correlation with the COPD-specific version of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire was r = 0.80. The difference between stable (n = 229) and exacerbation patients (n = 67) was five units of the 40-point scale (12%; p<0.0001). The CAT is a short, simple questionnaire for assessing and monitoring COPD. It has good measurement properties, is sensitive to differences in state and should provide a valid, reliable and standardised measure of COPD health status with worldwide relevance.

Ethical Issues for Hospice Volunteers

Health care professionals usually receive professional education in ethics, but the half million hospice volunteers in the United States may receive only brief training that is limited to confidentiality and the volunteer role. The purpose of this study was to explore ethical issues hospice volunteers confront in their work. Interviews with 39 hospice volunteers were conducted, audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative methods. Prominent themes were dilemmas about gifts, patient care and family concerns, issues related to volunteer roles and boundaries, and issues surrounding suicide and hastening death. Suggestions for training include discussions of ethics after initial training once volunteers had confronted ethical issues, with special emphasis on strategies for negotiating their uneasy role positioned between health care professional and friend.

Improving newborn preventive services at the birth hospitalization: a collaborative, hospital-based quality-improvement project

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to test the effectiveness of a statewide, collaborative, hospital-based quality-improvement project targeting preventive services delivered to healthy newborns during the birth hospitalization.

METHODS

All Vermont hospitals with obstetric services participated. The quality-improvement collaborative (intervention) was based on the Breakthrough Series Collaborative model. Targeted preventive services included hepatitis B immunization; assessment of breastfeeding; assessment of risk of hyperbilirubinemia; performance of metabolic and hearing screens; assessment of and counseling on tobacco smoke exposure, infant sleep position, car safety seat fit, and exposure to domestic violence; and planning for outpatient follow-up care. The effect of the intervention was assessed at the end of an 18-month period. Preintervention and postintervention chart audits were conducted by using a random sample of 30 newborn medical charts per audit for each participating hospital.

RESULTS

Documented rates of assessment improved for breastfeeding adequacy (49% vs 81%), risk for hyperbilirubinemia (14% vs 23%), infant sleep position (13% vs 56%), and car safety seat fit (42% vs 71%). Documented rates of counseling improved for tobacco smoke exposure (23% vs 53%) and car safety seat fit (38% vs 75%). Performance of hearing screens also improved (74% vs 97%). No significant changes were noted in performance of hepatitis B immunization (45% vs 30%) or metabolic screens (98% vs 98%), assessment of tobacco smoke exposure (53% vs 67%), counseling on sleep position (46% vs 68%), assessment of exposure to domestic violence (27% vs 36%), or planning for outpatient follow-up care (80% vs 71%). All hospitals demonstrated preintervention versus postintervention improvement of > or = 20% in > or = 1 newborn preventive service.

CONCLUSIONS

A statewide, hospital-based quality-improvement project targeting hospital staff members and community physicians was effective in improving documented newborn preventive services during the birth hospitalization.

Statewide quality improvement outreach improves preventive services for young children

OBJECTIVE

Although clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of quality improvement outreach in improving service delivery, evidence for broad community effectiveness has been lacking. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of a statewide pediatric quality improvement outreach program in improving preventive services for children who are younger than 5 years.

METHODS

All pediatric practices in Vermont (n = 35) were invited to participate in a preventive services quality improvement initiative. Ninety-one percent agreed. Participating practices serve >80% of all Vermont children who are younger than 5 years. The main outcome measured was change in 9 preventive services areas: (1) immunizations up to date; (2) anemia screening; (3) tuberculosis risk assessment and indicated screening; (4) lead screening; (5) infant sleep position counseling; (6) environmental tobacco smoke-exposure risk assessment; (7) blood pressure screening; (8) vision screening; and (9) dental risk assessment.

RESULTS

All practices demonstrated improvement in 1 or more preventive services areas. The mean number of areas chosen was 5 (range: 1-9). Practices that selected a specific preventive service area as a quality improvement goal were more likely to demonstrate improvement in that area than practices that did not choose to focus on that preventive services area.

CONCLUSIONS

The work in this project has provided the evidence for an effective statewide pediatric quality improvement outreach program to improve preventive services for children who are younger than 5 years. Practices' decision to focus on a specific preventive service area as a quality improvement goal seems necessary for improvement in that area. This approach may be effective in other states or regions.