Trial Information

The European Palliative Care Research Collaborative - Computerised Symptom Assessment and Classification of Pain, Depression and Physical Function (Cachexia) (EPCRC - CSA)

OBJECTIVES:

- Determine the feasibility of applying a computer-based system for symptom assessment
and classification in palliative cancer care in patients with metastatic and/or
advanced cancer.

- Examine hypothesized differences across groups related to acceptance of computers
(i.e., age, culture, stage of disease, cognitive and physical function, etc.).

- Examine the general user-friendliness of the tool.

- Test and validate the performance of selected domains and items for classification and
assessment of pain and cachexia.

- Explore the validity of domains and items for depression.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

All patients undergo computer-based assessments of general symptoms by the Edmonton Symptom
Assessment System (ESAS) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
Core Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ C30) questionnaires and assessment of physical function,
appetite/weight loss, and depression by the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PRIME-MD
PHQ9). Patients who score ≥ 1 (on a 0-10 numerical rating score) on the pain screening
question with or without occurrence of breakthrough pain (BTP), undergo the Alberta BTP
Assessment tool assessing precipitating factors for pain, time to pain relief after intake
of medication, and satisfaction with medication. Patients complete questions regarding
user-friendliness and feasibility of using the computer at the end of their session.