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Influence of Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePROMs) in Surgical Therapy for Prostate Cancer on Postoperative Outcome

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Prostate Cancer
Interventions
Other: current clinical practice
Other: complex intervention
Registration Number
NCT05644821
Lead Sponsor
Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf
Brief Summary

The study investigates the influence of structured follow-up using ePROMS in the 1st year after prostatectomy on the postoperative course. It will be examined whether this intervention leads to early detection of postoperative symptoms and whether the subsequent initiation of further measures lead to an improvement of incontinence, symptom burden, quality of life and patient competence.

Detailed Description

PRO-P is planned as a multicenter, prospective, and two-arm randomized control group study in which ePROMs will be performed in a standardized fashion once before and six times (intervention group) or three times (control group) after primary prostatectomy in patients with PCa. PROMs are collected either web-based or through a dedicated app and entered by the patient using either a mobile device or computer. Patients are invited to enter ePROMS into the app or web tool through email and app-driven push messages. Patients who are incontinent (at least one pad in 24 hours) at the 6-week postoperative survey are randomized into two groups: The intervention group and the control group. In the intervention group, when the respective questionnaire cut-off values are exceeded in the ePROM survey, an alarm is triggered at the treating prostate cancer center and contact is made by the center as well as subsequent measures, if necessary. This is done at 6 weeks postoperatively and at 12, 18, 24, 36 and 52 weeks postoperatively. In the control group, ePROMs are recorded 24 and 52 weeks after radical prostatectomy, but without triggering an alarm with subsequent measures - the control group thus receives treatment in accordance with the current clinical routine. The mechanisms of action of the intervention will be investigated within the framework of a qualitative process evaluation. Characteristics on the patient level (e.g., treatment-related attitudes, comorbidity, social support), on the practitioner level (e.g., communication skills), on the organizational level, and the interactions between the levels (e.g., patient-doctor relationship) will be explored. The goal is to develop an intervention model, or to describe the effective elements of the intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
260
Inclusion Criteria
  • age ≥ 18 y
  • legal capacity
  • sufficient knowledge of the German language
  • prostate carcinoma, TNM T1-4 NX N0-1 M0-1c
  • primary radical prostatectomy planned
  • mobile input device or PC available
  • ability to either receive emails or install a special app on cell phone and receive push messages, with guidance or assistance if necessary
  • ability to complete electronic questionnaires, with guidance or assistance if necessary
Exclusion Criteria
  • palliative treatment situation (life expectancy < 1 year)
  • preoperative urinary incontinence (at least one pad per 24 hours)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Comparison groupcurrent clinical practiceIn patients who are fully continent 6-weeks post-surgery (i.e., do not use pads in 24 hours), ePROMs are collected at 24 and 52 weeks, but no alarms or further actions are derived from them. Thus, treatment is provided according to routine clinical practice. Patients are not randomized.
Intervention groupcomplex interventionPatients who are not fully continent 6-weeks post-surgery (i.e., do not use pads in 24 hours) are randomized into the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, when the respective questionnaire thresholds are exceeded in the ePROM survey, an alarm is triggered at the treating prostate cancer center and contact is made by the center, as well as subsequent actions, if necessary.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
urinary incontinence52 weeks

The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Short Form (EPIC-26) is a questionnaire that assesses symptoms and functions of people with prostate cancer in 5 domains. A total of 100 points can be achieved for each domain, with a higher score indicating better function. The urinary incontinence domain consists of four items. To calculate the primary endpoint, the difference between the scores on the urinary incontinence scale of the EPIC-26 is taken at 52 and 6 weeks. Changes regarding urinary incontinence (Minimally Important Difference (MID) \>= 9) at 52 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks postoperatively are considered.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
EPIC-26: changes in gastrointestinal symptoms36 months

Similar to the primary endpoint, changes at 52 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks postoperatively are considered for the changes an gastrointestinal symptoms according to EPIC-26 (MID \>= 5).

EPIC-26: changes in vitality/hormonal function52 weeks

Similar to the primary endpoint, changes at 52 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks postoperatively are considered for the changes in vitality/ hormonal function according to EPIC-26 (MID \>= 4).

PHQ-4: changes in depressivity52 weeks

The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) measures depressiveness and generalized anxiety on two subscales with two items each. For each question, scores from 0 to 3 can be achieved, so that a cumulative score of 12 points can be reached, whereby a higher score indicates a more pronounced symptomatology. The cut-off value for depressivity is defined for the subscales of the PHQ-4 is definied by \>= 3 points, the respective attainment of which (independent of the preoperative value) triggers an alarm at each survey time point.

EPIC-26: changes in irritative/obstructive symptoms52 weeks

Similar to the primary endpoint, changes at 52 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks postoperatively are considered for the changes in irritative/obstructive an gastrointestinal symptoms according to EPIC-26 (MID \>= 7).

EQ-5D-5L: changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL)52 weeks

The European Quality of Life Five-Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) measures health-related quality of life on five scales: 1. mobility, 2. ability to care for oneself, 3. activities of daily living, 4. pain/physical discomfort, and 5. anxiety/dejection, each of which is represented by a question that provides five response options for grading symptoms. In addition, a question on self-assessment of health status is asked on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, where 100 is the best imaginable health.

PHQ-4: changes in generalised anxiety52 weeks

The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) measures depressiveness and generalized anxiety on two subscales with two items each. For each question, scores from 0 to 3 can be achieved, so that a cumulative score of 12 points can be reached, whereby a higher score indicates a more pronounced symptomatology. The cut-off value for depressivity is defined for the subscales of the PHQ-4 is definied by \>= 3 points, the respective attainment of which (independent of the preoperative value) triggers an alarm at each survey time point.

qualitative process evaluation - module 3: implementation52 weeks

Semi-structured interviews with urologists, psychooncologists, study nurses in the main study (N=10-15); focus group discussion with study participants; analysis of implementation factors is guided by the Consolidated Framework for Advancing Implementation Science (CFIR); data from module 3 on implementation are evaluated qualitatively by content analysis

EPIC-26: changes in sexual function52 weeks

Similar to the primary endpoint, changes at 52 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks postoperatively are considered for the changes in in sexual function according to EPIC-26 (MID \>= 10).

PEI: changes in patient enablement52 weeks

The Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) measures patient empowerment through six questions; a validated German translation with a modified question sequence and Likert scale is used. Overall, the sum score ranges from 6 to 30 points, with a higher score corresponding to greater patient empowerment.

qualitative process evaluation - module 1: feasibility52 weeks

semi-structured interviews with patients, urologists, psychooncologists, study nurses (N=10-15); data from Module 1 will be evaluated qualitatively using content analysis; criteria are based on the feasibility criteria for evaluating the acceptance and feasibility of the intervention and the study procedures

qualitative process evaluation - module 2: impact52 weeks

sequential semi-structured interviews with patients and relatives from the intervention and control groups in the main study (N=30-40); data from module 2 will be evaluated by contrastive thematic coding; in addition to possible differences between the intervention and control groups, intraindividual changes are also evaluated by contrastive coding of the data material at several time points

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

University Clinic Düsseldorf, Urology

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Düsseldorf, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

University Clinik Bochum, Marienhospital Herne, Urology

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Herne, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

University Clinic Münster, Urology

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Münster, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

University Clinic Bonn, Urology

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Bonn, North Rhine Westpahlia, Germany

Klinikum Dortmund gGmbH, Urology

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Dortmund, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

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