title: Functional relevance of antiemetic control. Experience using the FLIE questionnaire in a randomised study of the NK-1 antagonist aprepitant.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Labs, 10 Sentry Parkway, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA. allison_martin@merck.com
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Carides
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horgan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Grunberg
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009025:Morpholines; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D000077608:Aprepitant; D017294:Ondansetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002945:Cisplatin