Access to results of patient reported outcome surveys did not improve longitudinal patient reported outcomes in breast cancer patients in a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: We assessed the impact of breast cancer (BC) patients receiving their own patient-reported outcome (PRO) results on future PROs.

Methods: Newly diagnosed female BC patients completed validated measures of satisfaction with breasts (SB), and psychosocial (PsyW), physical (PhW), and sexual wellbeing (SW) longitudinally during treatment. Patients were randomized to receive their PRO scores (Intervention) or not (Control). The primary outcome was difference in PRO scores from baseline to 1-year post-surgery. T- and chi²-tests compared baseline characteristics between groups. Linear mixed models assessed differences in PRO changes over time.

Results: 131 patients (70 intervention, 61 control) completed baseline and 1-year modules; groups were well-balanced. At 1-year, the intervention group had less improvement in PsyW compared to controls with a t-test (mean difference: 1.2 vs 8.3, p ​= ​0.04); this difference did not remain in mixed models (intervention group effect estimate (SE) 1.7 (2.1) vs control group 7.0 (2.2), p ​= ​0.08). Changes in SB, PhW, and SW did not differ.

Conclusions: Access to individual PRO scores throughout treatment did not improve BC patients' future PROs.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Healthcare utilization; Patient reported outcomes; Quality of life; Satisfaction with care.