VPEQ-CSPS Validated as Tool to Assess Patient Preferences for MM Treatment

A new tool designed to aid in identifying the values and preferences of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in terms of remission, survival, and cure was validated in a recent study whose results were published in the journal Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia.

The Values and Preferences Elicitation Questionnaire – Cure and Survival Preference Scale (VPEQ-CSPS) is a tool developed with an aim of incorporating patient values and preferences into MM treatment decisions. The researchers who developed this tool conducted a literature review and identified key themes involved in health-related quality of life and shared decision making (SDM), which were used in drafting an initial version of the instrument. The initial version included 10 items and was evaluated by a panel of oncology nurses. 

In this study, the researchers evaluated the validity and reliability of a later version of the VPEQ-CSPS that contained 5 items. These items involved patient preference regarding being cured, trust in the medical institution, trust in provider, patient preference regarding survival or prolongation of life, and patient preference regarding control of cancer or staying in remission.

The researchers provided the VPEQ-CSPS as an anonymous online survey to adult patients with MM who were included in International Myeloma Foundation online patient support groups within the US. Patient responses on the VPEQ-CSPS were evaluated using a 10-point Likert scale. 

The analyses included a total of 170 patients with MM. The majority (91.7%) of patients were aged 60 to 69 years, 45.3% of participants had a graduate degree, and 75.9% were married. 

Mean scores provided by patients on the VPEQ-CSPS were highest for the categories related to cure preference (8.23 [SD, 2.29]) and trust in the medical institution (7.94 [SD, 2.30]). Mean scores for the other items on the scale were also higher than 5, which was the level that the researchers considered to be the neutral point. Standard deviations for these items were also less than 3 points for each, which the researchers considered to mean that the variability of responses was not wide. Additional statistical tests suggested the tool demonstrated validity and reliability. 

“We believe this instrument meets the need for an excellent patient-provider communication tool that can facilitate SDM and enhance patient-centered care through the elicitation of patient’s most influential factors for cancer treatment decisions,” the researchers wrote in their report.