Engagement of patients with cancer with digital health platforms: An age-based analysis.

person Paris A. Kosmidis Care Across, London, United Kingdom info_outline Paris A. Kosmidis, Panagiotis Baxevanos, Thanos Kosmidis

Authors person Paris A. Kosmidis Care Across, London, United Kingdom info_outline Paris A. Kosmidis, Panagiotis Baxevanos, Thanos Kosmidis Organizations Care Across, London, United Kingdom Abstract Disclosures Research Funding No funding sources reported Background: Use of digital health platforms has been increasing, including those used by patients directly. In cancer, the nature of the condition, and patient age (higher vs average online users), are among the factors expected to reduce engagement. However, there is limited research to identify and quantify such correlations. We retrospectively analyze them for 4 cancer types. Methods: Patients engage directly with CareAcross platforms to receive information and support based on the data they anonymously provide. These include diagnosis, treatment, optionally year of birth; and side effects (repeatedly, with other inputs in between). On platforms used by breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancer patients without clinician participation, the number of side effect reports submitted within 6 months of registration was analyzed as a patient engagement metric. This was correlated with patients' ages at registration, also yielding metrics for 10-year age groups around median age. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was calculated. Results: 1010 breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancer patients mainly from UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy have reported birth years. 747 breast cancer patients (28-86yo; median: 53) submitted 2.34 reports on average. Patients above median age tended to submit more reports in general (2.56 vs 2.15 for younger than median); r = 0.055. 10-year age groups analysis: 34-43yo: 2.01 reports (N=109); 44-53yo: 2.19 (287); 54-63yo: 2.61 (236); 64-73yo: 2.45 (94); 74-83yo: 2.92 (12). 135 lung cancer patients (35-84yo; median: 62) submitted 3.27 reports on average. Older patients tended to submit more reports (r = 0.031) except the oldest 10-year age group analyzed (15 patients aged 73-82 reported 1.47 times). 99 prostate cancer patients (48-90yo; median: 68) submitted 2.87 reports on average. Overall correlation was positive: r = 0.039; patients above vs below median age reported 3.47 vs 2.45 times. Beyond these, age groups were not consistent: highest average number of reports was from 69-78yo (average 3.83; N=40) followed by 49-58yo (average 3.77; N=13). 29 colorectal cancer patients (38-81yo; median: 62) submitted 2.34 reports on average, showing negative correlation with age (r = -0.097). Age groups were small and their analysis inconclusive. Conclusions: Although evidence is not clear or uniform, the retrospective analysis of these self-directed digital health platforms shows that older patients appear to engage more than their younger counterparts. More, prospective, research can identify confounders and offer opportunities to improve engagement across all age groups. Breast (N=747) Lung (135) Prostate (99) Colorectal (29) Age (median; average) 53; 53.2 62; 61.2 68; 66.9 62; 59.9 Average number of side effect reports 2.34 3.27 2.87 2.34 -- from older patients 2.56 3.42 3.47 2.07 -- from younger patients 2.15 2.96 2.45 2.64 Pearson correlation coefficient (r) 0.055 0.031 0.039 -0.097