Baseline Cognition Assessment Among Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Using PROMIS and NIH Toolbox
Importance Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is recognized by the American Cancer Society as a treatment effect in head and neck cancer, but the extent of this problem at baseline in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) the most common subsite in current practice, to our knowledge has never been studied. Objective To assess the baseline cognition of patients with OPC using National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored instruments of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB CB) Design, Setting, and Participants This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary academic center. Of 83 consecutive patients, newly diagnosed as having OPC from September 2016 to May 2017, 16 were ineligible, 8 refused to participate, and 3 were lost to follow up after screening, resulting in 56 study participants. Main Outcomes and Measures Self perceived and objective cognition with PROMIS and NIHTB CB standardized T scores, respectively, were main outcomes. Impairment was defined as (1) T scores less than 0.5 SD for PROMIS; (2) T score less than 1.5 SD in at least 1 cognitive domain or less than 1 SD in 2 or more domains for NIHTB CB total cognition; and (3) T score per previously published criteria for NIHTB CB intelligence stratified cognition. Results Of the 56 study participants (52 men, 4 women; median age, 59 years [range, 42 77 years] 19 (34% had a college degree, and 20 (36% had a professional or technical occupation. Thirty (about 53% were never smokers, 26 (46% were never drinkers, 29 (52% were obese, 13 (23% had a moderate to severe comorbidity, 3 (5% used antidepressants, and 25 (52% had hearing loss. Impaired self reported, NIHTB CB total, and intelligence stratified cognition scores were observed in 6 (11% 18 (32% and 12 (21% respectively. Among all variables, objective impairment was more common in men (23% vs 0% and those with p16 negative OPC (33% vs 20% moderate to severe comorbidity (31% vs 18% and hearing loss (31% vs 12% Conclusions and Relevance Impaired objective cognition was more common at baseline than self reported, and was more frequent in men, participants with p16 negative OPC, moderate to severe comorbidity, and hearing loss. NIHTB CB allowed immediate scoring of demographically adjusted cognitive function. In clinical practice, these scores can be used to identify patients with impaired cognition at baseline who may be susceptible to developing further impairment after treatment. Identification of impairment at baseline will help to institute early cognitive interventions, which may lead to an improved posttreatment quality of life.
JAMA otolaryngology head neck surgery