Deterioration of headache impact and health-related quality of life in migraine patients after cessation of preventive treatment with CGRP(−receptor) antibodies

Background Migraine preventive treatment with CGRP(−receptor) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has a positive effect on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The German treatment guidelines recommend discontinuing successful treatment with CGRP(−receptor) mAbs after 6–12 months. We aimed to evaluate headache-specific and generic HRQoL for three months after discontinuation of CGRP(−receptor) mAb treatment. Methods We conducted a prospective, longitudinal cohort study, including patients with migraine after 8–12 months of therapy with a CGRP(−R) mAb and before a planned discontinuation attempt. HRQoL was assessed at the time of the last mAbs injection (V1), eight weeks later (V2), and sixteen weeks later (V3). For headache-specific HRQoL, we used the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). Generic HRQoL was determined with the EuroQol-5-Dimension-5-Level (ED-5D-5L) form, and the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), which comprises a Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) and a Mental Component Summary (MCS-12). Questionnaires’ total scores were compared across the three observation points using nonparametric procedures. Results The study cohort consisted of n = 61 patients (n = 29 treated with the CGRP-receptor mAb erenumab and n = 32 with the CGRP mAbs galcanezumab or fremanezumab). The HIT-6 sum score was 59.69 ± 6.90 at V1 and increased by 3.69 ± 6.21 at V3 (p < 0.001), indicating a greater headache impact on patients’ lives. The mean total EQ-D5-L5 score declined from 0.85 ± 0.17 at V1 by − 0.07 ± 0.18 at V3 (p = 0.013). Both Mental and Physical Component Scores of the SF-12 worsened significantly during treatment discontinuation: The PCS-12 total score decreased by − 4.04 ± 7.90 from V1 to V3 (p = 0.013) and the MCS-12 score by − 2.73 ± 9.04 (p = 0.003). Changes in all questionnaires’ scores but the MCS-12 were already significant in the first month of the drug holiday (V2). Conclusions Our results show a significant decline in headache impact and generic HRQoL of migraine patients after treatment discontinuation of a CGRP(−R) mAb. The observed deterioration is above the established minimally clinically important differences for each of the questionnaires and can therefore be considered clinically meaningful. Monitoring HRQoL during a discontinuation attempt could facilitate the decision whether or not to resume preventive treatment with CGRP(−R) mAbs.

Parent–child-agreement on health-related quality of life and its determinants in patients born with Esophageal Atresia: a Swedish–German cross-sectional study

Background The aim was to compare parent and child-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) and determine factors that affect the level of parent–child agreement. Methods We included 63 parent–child dyads of children born with EA aged 8–18 from Germany and Sweden. The generic PedsQL 4.0™ questionnaire and the condition-specific EA QOL questionnaire were used to assess children’s HRQOL from parents' and children’s perspectives. The PedsQL™ Family Impact Module was used to assess parental HRQOL and Family Functioning. Results On an individual level, intra-class correlation coefficients indicated strong levels of parent–child agreement (.61–.97). At the group level, the analyses showed no significant differences between the responses of parents and children. When a disagreement occurred, parents were more likely to rate generic HRQOL lower than the children (19–35%) and condition-specific HRQOL higher than the children (17–33%). Findings of the binary logistic regression analyzes showed that the child’s age, gender, and country (Germany vs. Sweden) were significant predictors of parent–child agreement in condition-specific HRQOL. We did not identify any significant variables that explain agreement for the generic HRQOL. Conclusion The parent–child agreement is mostly good, suggesting that parent-reports are a reliable source of information. However, discrepancies may occur and can be explained by the child's age, gender, and country (Sweden vs. Germany). Both perspectives are essential sources for treating EA patients and should not be considered right or wrong. Instead, this information broadens the perspective on pediatric EA patients.

Parent-Child-Agreement on Health-Related Quality of Life and its Determinants in Patients born with Esophageal Atresia – a Swedish-German cross-sectional study

Background The aim was to compare parent and child-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) and determine factors that affect the level of parent-child agreement. Methods We included 63 parent-child dyads of children born with EA aged 8-18 from Germany and Sweden. The generic PedsQL 4.0TM questionnaire and the condition-specific EA QOL questionnaire were used to assess children’s HRQOL from parents' and children’s perspectives. The PedsQLTM Family Impact Module was used to assess parental HRQOL and Family Functioning.Results On an individual level, intra-class correlation coefficients indicated strong levels of parent-child agreement (.61-.97). At the group level, the analyses showed no significant differences between the responses of parents and children. When a disagreement occurred, parents were more likely to rate generic HRQOL lower than the children (19-35%) and condition-specific HRQOL higher than the children (17-33%). Findings of the binary logistic regression analyzes showed that the child’s age, gender, and country (Germany vs. Sweden) were significant predictors of parent-child agreement in condition-specific HRQOL. We did not identify any significant variables that explain agreement for the generic HRQOL.Conclusion The parent-child agreement is mostly good, suggesting that parent-reports are a reliable source of information. However, discrepancies may occur and can be explained by the child's age, gender, and country (Sweden vs. Germany). Both perspectives are essential sources for treating EA patients and should not be considered right or wrong. Instead, this information broadens the perspective on pediatric EA patients.

Preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes in Suspected Low-Grade Glioma: Markers of Disease Severity and Correlations with Molecular Subtypes

This prospective study aims to determine the overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functioning, fatigue, and psychological distress preoperatively in patients with suspected diffuse low-grade glioma (dLGG). We were particularly interested if these parameters differed by molecular tumor subtypes: oligodendroglioma, IDHmut astrocytoma and IDHwt astrocytoma. Fifty-one patients answered self-assessed questionnaires prior to operation (median age 51 years; range 19–75; 19 females [37%]). Thirty-five (69%) patients had IDH-mutated tumors, of which 17 were 1p/19q codeleted (i.e., oligodendroglioma) and 18 non-1p/19q codeleted (i.e., IDHmut astrocytoma). A lower overall generic HRQoL was associated with a high level of fatigue (rs = −0.49, p < 0.001), visual disorder (rs = −0.5, p < 0.001), motor dysfunction (rs = −0.51, p < 0.001), depression (rs = −0.54, p < 0.001), and reduced functioning. Nearly half of the patients reported high fatigue (23 out of 51 patients) and anxiety (26/51 patients). Patients with IDHwt had worse generic HRQoL, worse functioning, and more severe fatigue, though differences were not statistically significant between the molecular subtypes. In conclusion, fatigue and anxiety are prominent self-assessed symptoms of patients with suspected dLGG in a preoperative setting, but do not seem to be a reliable method to make assumptions of underlying biology or guide treatment decisions.

Parent-Child-Agreement on Health-Related Quality of Life and its Determinants in Patients Born with Esophageal Atresia – A Swedish-German Cross-Sectional Study

Background The aim was to compare parent and child reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) and to determine factors that affect the level of parent-child agreement. Methods We included 63 parent-child dyads of children born with EA aged 8-18 from Germany and Sweden. The generic PedsQL questionnaire and the condition-specific EA QOL questionnaire were used to assess children’s HRQOL from parents- and child’s perspective. The Peds QL Family Impact Module was used to assess parental HRQOL and Family Functioning.Results On an individual level, intra-class correlation coefficients indicated strong levels of parent-child agreement (.61-.97). At the group level, the analyses showed no significant differences between the responses of parents and children. In cases where disagreement occurred, parents were more likely to rate generic HRQOL lower than the children (19-35%) and condition-specific HRQOL higher than the children (17-33%). Findings of the multiple regression analysis showed that the country (Germany vs. Sweden) was found to be a significant predictor of parent-child agreement in generic HRQOL and parental HRQOL to be a significant predictor of parent-child agreement in condition-specific HRQOL.Conclusion The parent-child agreement is mostly good, suggesting that parent-reports are a reliable source of information. However, discrepancies may occur and cannot be explained by the child's age and gender, nor severity of the disease or Family Functioning, but solely by country respectively parental HRQOL. Clinicians should therefore not only observe the pediatric patient but also the parents.

Systematic collection of patient-reported outcomes in atrial fibrillation: feasibility and initial results of the Utah mEVAL AF programme

Aims Incorporating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into routine care of atrial fibrillation (AF) enables direct integration of symptoms, function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) into practice. We report our initial experience with a system-wide PRO initiative among AF patients. Methods and results All patients with AF in our practice undergo PRO assessment with the Toronto AF Severity Scale (AFSS), and generic PROs, prior to electrophysiology clinic visits. We describe the implementation, feasibility, and results of clinic-based, electronic AF PRO collection, and compare AF-specific and generic HRQoL assessments. From October 2016 to February 2019, 1586 unique AF patients initiated 2379 PRO assessments, 2145 of which had all PRO measures completed (90%). The median completion time for all PRO measures per visit was 7.3 min (1st, 3rd quartiles: 6, 10). Overall, 38% of patients were female (n = 589), mean age was 68 (SD 12) years, and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.8 (SD 2.0). The mean AFSS symptom score was 8.6 (SD 6.6, 1st, 3rd quartiles: 3, 13), and the full range of values was observed (0, 35). Generic PROs of physical function, general health, and depression were impacted at the most severe quartiles of AF symptom score (P &lt; 0.0001 for each vs. AFSS quartile). Conclusion Routine clinic-based, PRO collection for AF is feasible in clinical practice and patient time investment was acceptable. Disease-specific AF PROs add value to generic HRQoL instruments. Further research into the relationship between PROs, heart rhythm, and AF burden, as well as PRO-guided management, is necessary to optimize PRO utilization.

Effect of asthma control on general health-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with adult-onset asthma

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a well-established aspect of health that can be measured by both disease-specific and general instruments. The effect of uncontrolled asthma on generic HRQoL has not been shown in patients with clinically confirmed adult-onset asthma and with asthma control defined according to the Global Initiative for Asthma, so the aim of this study was to determine this. In the 12-year follow-up cohort of the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study (n = 203), patients with uncontrolled and partially controlled asthma had lower generic HRQoL as determined by 15D compared to the controlled group. On 10 out of 15 dimensions of 15D, the mean scores were significantly lower in patients with uncontrolled asthma compared with those with controlled asthma. The affected dimensions were mobility, breathing, sleeping, usual activities, mental function, discomfort and symptoms, depression, distress, vitality and sexual activity. In the Tobit regression analysis, a poorer 15D score was associated with uncontrolled asthma, lower postbronchodilator FEV1, female sex, depression, treated dyspepsia and poorer 15D score at diagnosis. Our results show that uncontrolled asthma affects everyday life in several aspects, including previously unknown components such as sexual activity and vitality.

Generic Health-Related Quality of Life after Repair of Esophageal Atresia and Its Determinants within a German–Swedish Cohort

Aim Despite advances of outcomes of esophageal atresia (EA), knowledge on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is sparse. Due to the heterogeneity of EA, larger cohorts need to be investigated to ensure reliability of data. Aim was to determine generic HRQoL after EA repair in a Swedish–German cohort. Patients and Methods Ethical approval was obtained. A total of 192 patients (2–18 years; 134 Swedish; 58 German) were included. Clinical data were reviewed. EA was classified in “severe” and “mild/moderate.” Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL 4.0) was used in appropriate versions (2–7 years; 8–18 years; self- [SR] and proxy report [PR]) to determine generic HRQoL. Results Swedish and German samples were clinically and demographically comparable. HRQoL was lower in “severe EA” versus “mild/moderate” (2–18 years; total score; PR 85.6 vs. 73.6; p < 0.001) and Gross A versus Gross C type EA (2–7 years; total score; PR 61.0 vs. 79.3; p = 0.035). Total HRQoL was higher in the Swedish versus German sample (2–18 years; total score; PR 82.3 vs. 72.7; p = 0.002). HRQoL was impaired in the German sample versus healthy population (2–18 years; total score; PR 72.7 vs. 82.7; p = 0.001). In German patients (8–18 years), HRQoL was higher in SR versus PR (80.7 vs. 74.7; p = 0.044). Patients' age and presence of VACTERL association or isolated anorectal malformations did not affect HRQoL. Various differences were detected regarding different dimensions of PedsQL 4.0. Conclusion In this first international study, we found several differences in perception of generic HRQoL. HRQoL appears to be determined by the type of EA and severity rather than patients' age or the presence of typical associated malformations. Country-specific differences may be culturally dependent, but further investigations are suggested. A condition-specific instrument validated for EA may provide additional insights.

Association Between Health Literacy, Electronic Health Literacy, Disease-Specific Knowledge, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Despite the relatively high prevalence of low health literacy among individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), limited empirical attention has been paid to the cognitive and health literacy–related skills that can uniquely influence patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how health literacy, electronic health (eHealth) literacy, and COPD knowledge are associated with both generic and lung-specific HRQoL in people living with COPD. METHODS Adults from the COPD Foundation’s National Research Registry (n=174) completed a cross-sectional Web-based survey that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity status, COPD knowledge, health literacy, eHealth literacy, and generic/lung-specific HRQoL. Hierarchical linear regression models were tested to examine the roles of health literacy and eHealth literacy on generic (model 1) and lung-specific (model 2) HRQoL, after accounting for socioeconomic and comorbidity covariates. Spearman rank correlations examined associations between ordinal HRQoL items and statistically significant hierarchical predictor variables. RESULTS After adjusting for confounding factors, health literacy, eHealth literacy, and COPD knowledge accounted for an additional 9% of variance in generic HRQoL (total adjusted R2=21%; F9,164=6.09, P<.001). Health literacy (b=.08, SE 0.02, 95% CI 0.04-0.12) was the only predictor positively associated with generic HRQoL (P<.001). Adding health literacy, eHealth literacy, and COPD knowledge as predictors explained an additional 7.40% of variance in lung-specific HRQoL (total adjusted R2=26.4%; F8,161=8.59, P<.001). Following adjustment for covariates, both health literacy (b=2.63, SE 0.84, 95% CI 0.96-4.29, P<.001) and eHealth literacy (b=1.41, SE 0.67, 95% CI 0.09-2.73, P<.001) were positively associated with lung-specific HRQoL. Health literacy was positively associated with most lung-specific HRQoL indicators (ie, cough frequency, chest tightness, activity limitation at home, confidence leaving home, sleep quality, and energy level), whereas eHealth literacy was positively associated with 5 of 8 (60%) lung-specific HRQoL indicators. Upon controlling for confounders, COPD knowledge (b=−.56, SE 0.29, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.004, P<.05) was inversely associated with lung-specific HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS Health literacy, but not eHealth literacy, was positively associated with generic HRQoL. However, both health literacy and eHealth literacy were positively associated with lung-specific HRQoL, with higher COPD knowledge indicative of lower lung-specific HRQoL. These results confirm the importance of considering health and eHealth literacy levels when designing patient education programs for people living with COPD. Future research should explore the impact of delivering interventions aimed at improving eHealth and health literacy among patients with COPD, particularly when disease self-management goals are to enhance HRQoL.