Composite grading algorithm for the National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) Journal Article


Authors: Basch, E.; Becker, C.; Rogak, L. J.; Schrag, D.; Reeve, B. B.; Spears, P.; Smith, M. L.; Gounder, M. M.; Mahoney, M. R.; Schwartz, G. K.; Bennett, A. V.; Mendoza, T. R.; Cleeland, C. S.; Sloan, J. A.; Bruner, D. W.; Schwab, G.; Atkinson, T. M.; Thanarajasingam, G.; Bertagnolli, M. M.; Dueck, A. C.
Article Title: Composite grading algorithm for the National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE)
Abstract: Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events is an item library designed for eliciting patient-reported adverse events in oncology. For each adverse event, up to three individual items are scored for frequency, severity, and interference with daily activities. To align the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events with other standardized tools for adverse event assessment including the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, an algorithm for mapping individual items for any given adverse event to a single composite numerical grade was developed and tested. Methods: A five-step process was used: (1) All 179 possible Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events score combinations were presented to 20 clinical investigators to subjectively map combinations to single numerical grades ranging from 0 to 3. (2) Combinations with <75% agreement were presented to investigator committees at a National Clinical Trials Network cooperative group meeting to gain majority consensus via anonymous voting. (3) The resulting algorithm was refined via graphical and tabular approaches to assure directional consistency. (4) Validity, reliability, and sensitivity were assessed in a national study dataset. (5) Accuracy for delineating adverse events between study arms was measured in two Phase III clinical trials (NCT02066181 and NCT01522443). Results: In Step 1, 12/179 score combinations had <75% initial agreement. In Step 2, majority consensus was reached for all combinations. In Step 3, five grades were adjusted to assure directional consistency. In Steps 4 and 5, composite grades performed well and comparably to individual item scores on validity, reliability, sensitivity, and between-arm delineation. Conclusion: A composite grading algorithm has been developed and yields single numerical grades for adverse events assessed via the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, and can be useful in analyses and reporting. © The Author(s) 2020.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; major clinical study; outcome assessment; consensus; quality of life; oncology; symptom; algorithm; reliability; validity; nomenclature; phase 3 clinical trial; health-related quality of life; toxicity; national health organization; adverse event; patient-reported outcome; Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; human; male; female; article; patient-reported outcomes version of the common terminology criteria for adverse events
Journal Title: Clinical Trials
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1740-7745
Publisher: Sage Publications  
Date Published: 2021-02-01
Start Page: 104
End Page: 114
Language: English
DOI: 10.1177/1740774520975120
PUBMED: 33258687
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7878323
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ethan Martin Basch
    180 Basch
  2. Thomas Michael Atkinson
    155 Atkinson
  3. Mrinal M Gounder
    229 Gounder
  4. Lauren Jayne Rogak
    76 Rogak