Functional relevance of antiemetic control. Experience using the FLIE questionnaire in a randomised study of the NK-1 antagonist aprepitant.
Little information exists on the functional impact of effective antiemetic protection. In the present study, the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE), was used to assess patient-reported impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after administration of a new NK-1 receptor antagonist (aprepitant). Cisplatin-treated patients in a double-blind randomised trial received either aprepitant+dexamethasone+ondansetron on day 1 and aprepitant+dexamethasone on days 2-5 or standard antiemetic therapy (dexamethasone and ondansetron on day 1 and dexamethasone on days 2-5). Emetic events, nausea ratings and rescue medications were recorded in a 5-day diary and the FLIE was completed on day 6. Compared with standard therapy, significantly more patients treated with the high dose aprepitant regimen achieved a Complete Response (71 vs 44%, P<0.001) and also reported no impact on daily life as indicated by the FLIE total score (84 vs 66%, P<0.01). Use of the FLIE demonstrated that improved control of emesis was highly effective in reducing the impact of CINV on patients' daily lives.
Martin
A R
AR
Merck Research Labs, 10 Sentry Parkway, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA. allison_martin@merck.com
Carides
A D
AD
Pearson
J D
JD
Horgan
K
K
Elmer
M
M
Schmidt
C
C
Cai
B
B
Chawla
S P
SP
Grunberg
S M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077608:Aprepitant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009025:Morpholines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009025:Morpholines; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D000077608:Aprepitant; D017294:Ondansetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002945:Cisplatin