Age and Sex-Based Differences in Therapy Preferences Among Patients with Cancer: Evidence from a Novel Therapy Preference Scale

Prajwal Dhakal; Christopher S Wichman; Bunny J Pozehl; Radowan Elnair; Amulya Yellala; Kalika Mahato; Vijaya Raj Bhatt

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-5743881/v1

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Age and Sex-Based Differences in Therapy Preferences Among Patients with Cancer: Evidence from a Novel Therapy Preference Scale

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Age and Sex-Based Differences in Therapy Preferences Among Patients with Cancer: Evidence from a Novel Therapy Preference Scale

Prajwal Dhakal, Christopher S Wichman, Bunny J Pozehl, Radowan Elnair, Amulya Yellala, Kalika Mahato and Vijaya Raj Bhatt

Research square

01/08/2025

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5743881/v1

PMCID: PMC11760243

PMID: 39866883

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https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5743881/v1View

Preprint (Author's original)This preprint has not been evaluated by subject experts through peer review. Preprints may undergo extensive changes and/or become peer-reviewed journal articles. Open Access

Abstract

Patients' preferences are crucial to formulating personalized treatment plans. We developed a self-reported questionnaire, Therapy Preference Scale (TPS), to examine treatment preferences of patients with cancer. TPS has 30 questions-19 on patients' preferences on safety, quality of life, and treatment effectiveness, 8 questions on importance of various treatment characteristics, and 3 on patients' preferred intent of therapy, expenses, and life expectancy gain. We recruited 300 adults>18 years with a cancer diagnosis and categorized them into 4 age-by-sex groups (younger men<60 years, older men≥60 years, younger women<60 years, older women≥60 years). Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric ANOVA method was used to compare responses among 4 groups. Older women, compared to other groups, were more likely to value maintenance of cognitive function and ability to perform daily activities. Older women were more likely to risk having a shorter life expectancy rather than facing the risk of long-term cognitive impairments. Younger men and women were more likely to accept more effective treatment, even if it caused significant pain. A higher percentage of younger men, compared to other groups, valued maintaining sex life. Older men and women were more likely to prefer oral pills over intravenous therapy. Patient preferences may vary based on age and sex with older women prioritizing cognitive and physical function independence more frequently, whereas younger men and women willing to pursue more effective treatment options even with a greater risk of significant pain. TPS can elicit detailed preferences of an individual patient to facilitate shared decision-making with their oncologists.

Quality of Life

Therapy

Patient

Life expectancy

Preference

Cancer

Details

Title: Subtitle: Age and Sex-Based Differences in Therapy Preferences Among Patients with Cancer: Evidence from a Novel Therapy Preference Scale
Creators: Prajwal Dhakal - University of Iowa
Christopher S Wichman - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bunny J Pozehl - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Radowan Elnair - Roger Williams Medical Center
Amulya Yellala - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kalika Mahato - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Vijaya Raj Bhatt - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Resource Type: Preprint
Publication Details: Research square
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5743881/v1
PMID: 39866883
PMCID: PMC11760243
NLM abbreviation: Res Sq
ISSN: 2693-5015
eISSN: 2693-5015
Grant note: U54 GM115458 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date posted: 01/08/2025
Academic Unit: Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984781372902771

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