Gait Speed Correlates With Performance Status and Predicts Survival in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Brain Metastases

Abstract

referral to counselling services, based upon PRO scores, had not been explicitly defined. Materials/Methods: During the study period, radiation therapists (RTTs) collected PRO using a questionnaire (BCCA-BrMQ) around the time of CT simulation, while RNs collected this information 2 weeks post radiation therapy (RT). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the proportion of patients who reported experiencing symptoms of depression. Chart review was performed on patients screening positively to determine which psycho-social services they had received. BCCA center POSI coordinators also reported on RTTs' qualitative experiences of collecting these PRO. Results: Between July to December 2014, 185 patients with BrM were approached before RT to answer the BCCA-BrMQ, 145 of whom answered the question whether they "felt sad or depressed": 7% (10/145) answered "quite a bit" and 4% (6/145) "very much." Among those two categories, only 19% (3/16) were seen by BCCA counsellors. The reasons for not being seen by counsellors were: lack of referral (69%), previously followed by counselors (8%), declined counsellor consult (8%), already seen by counsellor (8%), and hospitalized (8%). Qualitatively, POSI coordinators reported that RTTs felt uncomfortable with this particular question, especially when patients had a strong emotive reaction, and as a result several centers started to omit this particular question from the BCCA-BrMQ at baseline. Conclusion: 11% of patients report feeling "quite a bit," or "very much" depressed immediately prior to RT for BrM. This study therefore identified a manageable proportion of patients that could be automatically referred to counselling services. To relieve RTT discomfort with depression questions and improve capture of this PRO, these results have led to POSI using direct PRO entry via tablet prior to CT simulation.