Trial Outcomes & Findings for Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers (NCT NCT02107443)

NCT ID: NCT02107443

Last Updated: 2024-04-12

Results Overview

A geriatric assessment (GA), a validated set of patient-centered outcomes, has been shown to identify concerns (e.g., function, cognition) important to older persons with cancer and their caregivers. The geriatric assessment was used to define which age related topics discussed between patients and providers would be coded. We will apply linear mixed model methodology. The total number of conversations will be the response, and the arm will be the fixed effect. Estimation will be performed using Restricted Maximum Likelihood, and the null hypothesis of zero mean difference between arms will be tested using a F test. The specific NCORP practice site differences will be assessed graphically using Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUP) of the mean response for each NCORP.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

546 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline

Results posted on

2024-04-12

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention: Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations
Arm II (Usual Care)
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Overall Study
STARTED
296
250
Overall Study
COMPLETED
198
167
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
98
83

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention: Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations
Arm II (Usual Care)
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Overall Study
Death
42
30
Overall Study
Study Protocol Violation
3
1
Overall Study
Registered but Not Eligible
0
1
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Hospitalization/Hospice
28
28
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Disliked Study Procedures
1
2
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Changed Mind
2
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Changed MD/Facility
1
3
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Too Many Forms
3
1
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Too Time Consuming
3
6
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Feeling Overwhelmed
2
1
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Other Medical
9
5
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Disease Progression
4
2
Overall Study
Withdrawal: Personal Issues
0
3

Baseline Characteristics

One subject did not provide demographic information in Arm I.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=293 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention: Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=248 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Total
n=541 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
76.71 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.19 • n=292 Participants • One subject did not provide demographic information in Arm I.
76.41 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.27 • n=248 Participants • One subject did not provide demographic information in Arm I.
76.57 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.22 • n=540 Participants • One subject did not provide demographic information in Arm I.
Sex/Gender, Customized
Gender · Female
137 Participants
n=293 Participants
127 Participants
n=248 Participants
264 Participants
n=541 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Gender · Male
155 Participants
n=293 Participants
121 Participants
n=248 Participants
276 Participants
n=541 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Gender · Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity · Non-Hispanic White
263 Participants
n=293 Participants
219 Participants
n=248 Participants
482 Participants
n=541 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity · African American
19 Participants
n=293 Participants
21 Participants
n=248 Participants
40 Participants
n=541 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity · Other
10 Participants
n=293 Participants
8 Participants
n=248 Participants
18 Participants
n=541 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity · Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
293 participants
n=293 Participants
248 participants
n=248 Participants
541 participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Single, Never Married
3 Participants
n=293 Participants
4 Participants
n=248 Participants
7 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Married
192 Participants
n=293 Participants
148 Participants
n=248 Participants
340 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Separated
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
7 Participants
n=248 Participants
8 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Domestic Partnership
2 Participants
n=293 Participants
6 Participants
n=248 Participants
8 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Widowed
59 Participants
n=293 Participants
50 Participants
n=248 Participants
109 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Divorced
35 Participants
n=293 Participants
33 Participants
n=248 Participants
68 Participants
n=541 Participants
Marital Status
Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
Education
Less than High School
36 Participants
n=293 Participants
30 Participants
n=248 Participants
66 Participants
n=541 Participants
Education
High School
114 Participants
n=293 Participants
81 Participants
n=248 Participants
195 Participants
n=541 Participants
Education
More than High School
142 Participants
n=293 Participants
137 Participants
n=248 Participants
279 Participants
n=541 Participants
Education
Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Breast
31 Participants
n=293 Participants
38 Participants
n=248 Participants
69 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Gastrointestinal
72 Participants
n=293 Participants
66 Participants
n=248 Participants
138 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Genitourinary
46 Participants
n=293 Participants
33 Participants
n=248 Participants
79 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Gynecological
22 Participants
n=293 Participants
12 Participants
n=248 Participants
34 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Lung
78 Participants
n=293 Participants
62 Participants
n=248 Participants
140 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Lymphoma
23 Participants
n=293 Participants
18 Participants
n=248 Participants
41 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Other
20 Participants
n=293 Participants
19 Participants
n=248 Participants
39 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Type
Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Stage
III
28 Participants
n=293 Participants
19 Participants
n=248 Participants
47 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Stage
IV
261 Participants
n=293 Participants
219 Participants
n=248 Participants
480 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Stage
Other
3 Participants
n=293 Participants
10 Participants
n=248 Participants
13 Participants
n=541 Participants
Cancer Stage
Unknown
1 Participants
n=293 Participants
0 Participants
n=248 Participants
1 Participants
n=541 Participants
GA Impairments
4.50 GA impairments
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.54 • n=293 Participants
4.45 GA impairments
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.52 • n=248 Participants
4.48 GA impairments
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.53 • n=541 Participants
Number of Practice Sites
16 participants
n=293 Participants
14 participants
n=248 Participants
30 participants
n=541 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline

Population: All baseline patients who were evaluable for this primary aim were included in this analysis. * Arm I patients excluded because 2 withdrew, 1 expired, 4 no audio captured and 2 primary aim protocol violations. * Arm II patients excluded (3 withdrew, 1 no audio captured).

A geriatric assessment (GA), a validated set of patient-centered outcomes, has been shown to identify concerns (e.g., function, cognition) important to older persons with cancer and their caregivers. The geriatric assessment was used to define which age related topics discussed between patients and providers would be coded. We will apply linear mixed model methodology. The total number of conversations will be the response, and the arm will be the fixed effect. Estimation will be performed using Restricted Maximum Likelihood, and the null hypothesis of zero mean difference between arms will be tested using a F test. The specific NCORP practice site differences will be assessed graphically using Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUP) of the mean response for each NCORP.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=284 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention:Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations.
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=244 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Direct Communication About Age-related Concerns: Number of Discussions Related to the Geriatric Assessment That Occur in the Clinic Visit Between the Patient, Oncology Physician, and Caregiver. [Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Specified]
8.02 Number of Conversations
Interval 7.09 to 8.94
4.43 Number of Conversations
Interval 3.42 to 5.44

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Within 1-7 days of the baseline audio-recorded clinic consultation

Population: All baseline patients who were evaluable for this primary aim were included in this analysis. * Arm I patients excluded (2 patients withdrew, 19 patients with no HCCQ). * Arm II patients excluded (3 patients withdrew, 9 no HCCQ).

Will apply linear mixed model methodology. The total HCCQ scores will be the response, and the arm will be the fixed effect. HCCQ contains 7 questions, scale: 0-28. The higher the score the more satisfied the patients is with communication with their oncologists about age related concerns. Estimation will be performed using Restricted Maximum Likelihood, and the null hypothesis of zero mean difference between arms will be tested using a F test. The specific NCORP practice site differences will be assessed graphically using Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUP) of the mean response for each NCORP.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=271 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention:Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations.
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=239 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Patient Satisfaction With Communication About Age-related Concerns: Measured by Health Care Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ). [NCI Specified]
23.34 HCCQ total score
Interval 22.63 to 24.05
22.25 HCCQ total score
Interval 21.49 to 23.01

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Mean score over 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months assessments following the intervention

Population: Enrolled patients who have completed the FACT-G

Patient Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) will be assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) measured on a 0-108 scale with higher scores indicating a better outcome. We will apply linear mixed model methodology to compare the between arm differences.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=286 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention:Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations.
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=241 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
82.93 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.71
83.16 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.76

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At 4-6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months following the intervention

Population: The number of caregiver's with an available HCCQ at 4-6 weeks

We will compare the effect of the intervention on caregiver satisfaction (the modified health care climate questionnaire (HCCQ)- age for the caregiver, range 0-20; higher score better outcome). We will apply linear mixed model methodology to compare between arm differences.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=189 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention:Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations.
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=158 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Caregiver Satisfaction With Communication About Age-related Issues.
4-6 Weeks
16.44 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.29
15.39 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.31
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Caregiver Satisfaction With Communication About Age-related Issues.
6 months
16.49 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.31
15.87 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.34
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Caregiver Satisfaction With Communication About Age-related Issues.
3 months
16.47 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.30
15.64 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.32

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Mean 4-6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention

Population: The number of caregivers with a CRA

Caregiver Health Related Quality of Life (burden) will be assessed with the Caregiver Reactions Assessment (CRA- \[Overall scale ranges from 1-5, better or worse outcome depending on subscale- Self Esteem Subscale higher score indicates better outcome, Disrupted Schedule subscale lower score indicates better outcome, Financial problems subscale lower score indicates better outcome, Lack of Social Support subscale lower score indicates better outcome, Health Problems subscale lower score indicates better outcome\]). We will apply linear mixed model methodology to compare between arm differences

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)
n=229 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA and receive the GA summary and recommendations guided by GA results provided by the oncology team to discuss and implement for each age-related issue at baseline. Informational Intervention:Complete GA summary plus GA-driven recommendations.
Arm II (Usual Care)
n=182 Participants
Patients and their caregivers (if participating) complete the GA at baseline.
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
Self-Esteem
4.41 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.03
4.38 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.03
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
Disrupted Schedule
2.57 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.05
2.58 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.06
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
Financial Problems
1.97 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.04
2.04 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.04
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
Lack of Social Support
1.87 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.04
1.91 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.04
Geriatric Assessment (GA) Summary and GA Targeted-recommendations Provided to Patients, Caregivers and Oncology Physicians Prior to Their Treatment Influences Quality of Life of Older Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers.
Health Problems
1.98 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.03
2.03 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.04

Adverse Events

Arm I (GA Informational Intervention)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 42 deaths

Arm II (Usual Care)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 30 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Supriya Mohile, Professor of Medicine

University of Rochester, Medical Center

Phone: 585-275-0394

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place