PATIENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA (AML)- UNDERSTANDING AML’S HUMANISTIC IMPACT THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL PATIENT-CENTRIC QUALITATIVE STUDY
Author(s)
Delbecque L1, Pantiri K1, Seo C2, Stroupe A2, Durno N3, Glynn K2, DAlessio DL4, Brandt P4, Lasch K2
1Pharmerit International, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2Pharmerit International, Newton, MA, USA, 3Pharmerit International, York, UK, 4Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA
OBJECTIVES: To document patients’ experiences with diagnosis, symptoms, impacts, side effects (SE), unmet needs and treatment pathways for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) across 3 countries. METHODS: Following a comprehensive literature review, patient and expert input, and IRB approval, face-to-face interviews were conducted with adults with AML in Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Using a semi-structured interview guide, trained qualitative interviewers explored patients’ diagnosis and treatment pathways to elicit spontaneous responses on symptoms and impacts of AML. Interviews traced patients’ journey from diagnosis through last treatment received. Treatment phases included induction, consolidation, maintenance, and transplant. Healthcare utilization resources were also collected. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Atlas.ti RESULTS: Data were available from 25 AML patients (mean age [range], 53 years [28-75]; 60% women; 40% Canadian; 28% Danish; 32% English). A total of 81 symptoms/SE and 48 impacts were reported. These concepts differ across the treatment phases. The most frequently reported symptoms/SE at induction (i.e., fatigue (88%), hair loss (84%), weakness (80%), diarrhea (80%)) overlapped somewhat to those reported at consolidation (i.e., fatigue (79%), hair loss (50%), muscle loss (46%)), but differed slightly from those described after transplant (i.e., fatigue (100%), GVHD (80%), infections (73%)). Only 7 symptoms/SE were reported at maintenance (including fatigue (100%) and nausea/vomiting (100%)). Patients described more emergency room visits at diagnosis in Canada and shorter periods of hospitalization in Denmark. Patients also reported a variety of unmet needs such as care and communication issues. CONCLUSIONS: Living with and being treated for AML has a significant impact on patients’ life from diagnosis until treatment end. Symptoms/SE experienced during induction and transplant had the strongest impact. Diagnosis and treatment pathways vary across countries, leading to different patient experiences. Better understanding of patients’ experiences can help optimize patient management and treatment whilst alleviating disease and treatment burden.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2017-11, ISPOR Europe 2017, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Vol. 20, No. 9 (October 2017)
Code
PCN240
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
Oncology, Systemic Disorders/Conditions