1855. Understanding Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Symptom Management, Quality of Life, and Care Coordination in Transplant Recipients Through Patient and Care Partner (CP) Experiences
Authors: Singh Deepshikha , Burke Mary C , Raveendran Subhara , Macarayan Erlyn Rachelle , Razzaque Maisha , Papanicolaou Genovefa , Levan Macey L , McCue Maggie , Gower Megan , Gelone Daniele K 
Published: November 2023

Background

Transplant recipients with CMV infection have a high risk of complications and mortality. This study aimed to better understand patient and CP knowledge of post-transplant CMV and identify how it can be improved.

Methods

The study included 2 research phases (Fig 1). We report results from Phase 2 (September 2022–March 2023), which included an educational webinar with a pre- and post-webinar assessment comprising 4 questions on the risk, symptoms, treatment, and complications of CMV; participants (pts) self-reported their confidence rating pre- and post-webinar. Transplant recipients and CPs also completed a quantitative survey on CMV management and patient/CP burden. Pts were recruited via the PatientsLikeMe (PLM) website, email, or social media.

Results

The webinar was completed by 33 pts. There was a total of 86 and 121 correct responses to the 4 pre- and post-survey questions, respectively, indicating a significant improvement in understanding of CMV post-webinar as compared with before (p&lt; 0.05; t-test statistic). Almost half (n=16 [48%]) of pts reported feeling “not at all confident” in recognizing CMV symptoms post-transplant pre-webinar; post-webinar, this was 0 pts. Twenty-eight transplant recipients (27 solid organ transplant; 1 hematopoietic cell transplant) and 1 CP completed the quantitative survey. Half of recipients received a CMV diagnosis post-transplant and 16/28 reported having no awareness of their or their donor’s CMV status prior to transplant. Most (27/28) recipients reported a positive experience with their care team post-transplant. Half of recipients set goals with their care team or were provided resources to track them post-transplant. Recipients reported CMV medication changes and challenges with treatment (Table 1). Patients primarily contacted their surgeon about CMV and sought information on the internet.

Conclusion

Although transplant recipients reported positive experiences with their healthcare team, the post-transplant care journey could be improved by better educating patients about CMV and CMV management. Aggregate-level learnings from the study with be shared on the PLM platform to reinforce the value of participation in research.

Funding: Collaborative research study; primary funding from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

Disclosures

Deepshikha Singh, MPH, PatientsLikeMe: Employee|PatientsLikeMe: Ownership Interest Mary C. Burke, MHA, PatientsLikeMe: Employee|PatientsLikeMe: Ownership Interest Subhara Raveendran, PhD, Ascendis Pharma: Employee|PatientsLikeMe: Ownership Interest Erlyn Rachelle Macarayan, PhD, PatientsLikeMe: Employee|PatientsLikeMe: Ownership Interest Maisha Razzaque, MS, PatientsLikeMe: Employee|PatientsLikeMe: Ownership Interest Genovefa Papanicolaou, MD, Allovir: Advisor/Consultant|Amplyx: Advisor/Consultant|Astellas: Advisor/Consultant|Cidara: Advisor/Consultant|CSL Behring: Advisor/Consultant|DSMC: Advisor/Consultant|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Merck: institutional research support for clinical trials|MSD: Advisor/Consultant|Octapharma: Advisor/Consultant|Partners Rx: Advisor/Consultant|Shire/Takeda: institutional research support for clinical trials|Symbio: Advisor/Consultant|Symbio: Advisor/Consultant|Takeda: Advisor/Consultant|Vera Pharma: Advisor/Consultant Macey L. Levan, PhD, Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant Maggie McCue, MS, RD, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.: Employee Megan Gower, PharmD, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.: Employee|Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.: Ownership Interest Daniele K. Gelone, PharmD, Abbott Laboratories: Ownership Interest|Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Ownership Interest|Johnson & Johnson: Ownership Interest|NovoNordisk: Ownership Interest|Pfizer: Ownership Interest|Regenxbio: Ownership Interest|Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.: Employee|Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.: Ownership Interest|Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Ownership Interest