Measurement properties of the Dutch PROMIS-29 v2.1 profile in people with and without chronic conditions

Hypnosis and mindfulness audio recordings for reducing fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a common problem in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to evaluate the effects on fatigue of having 4 weeks of access to audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) practices.

METHODS

A total of 333 individuals with MS and fatigue were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment conditions for 28 weeks: (1) access to therapeutic HYP audio recordings, (2) access to MM audio recordings, or (3) no access to recordings (treatment as usual or TAU). Fatigue impact (primary outcome) and other outcomes were assessed at 4, 16, and 28 weeks after random assignment.

RESULTS

Participants assigned to the HYP and MM conditions reported significantly greater reductions in fatigue impact, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptom severity than participants assigned to the TAU condition after 4 weeks of access to audio recordings of these interventions. These improvements were maintained for 16 and 28 weeks following initial access and did not result in any serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Given the ease with which audio recordings of HYP and MM could be provided to individuals with MS, the findings support the feasibility of a simple approach to have a significant beneficial impact on people with MS-related fatigue.

A COSMIN systematic review of generic patient-reported outcome measures in Switzerland

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic review of the quality of generic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for clinical or population research or practice using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, and to derive recommendations for usage of generic PROMs within Switzerland.

METHODS

We searched six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane) and grey literature in Switzerland to identify studies reporting on the development or validation of any generic PROMs used in Switzerland. Methodological quality of each study was assessed with COSMIN's Risk of Bias Checklist. Measurement property evidence (content validity and psychometrics) was further evaluated according to COSMIN's criteria for good measurement properties. Overall evidence was synthesized according to COSMIN's modified GRADE approach to generate recommendations for future use or disuse of generic PROMs within Switzerland.

RESULTS

Data from k = 49 studies reporting on five PROMs (EQ-5D, SF-36, PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, WORQ) were included. Among these, the SF-36 can be recommended for use. The PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, and WORQ have the potential to be recommended for use, but require further validation. The EQ-5D is not recommendable for future use.

CONCLUSION

With a limited number of content validity studies, WHOQOL-BREF showed sufficiency with moderate quality, while other PROMs showed mixed quality ranging from very low to moderate. Synthesizing all measurement property evidence, SF-36 was identified as recommendable. PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, and WORQ were identified as potentially recommendable pending further validation evidence. The EQ-5D was identified as unrecommendable for future use within Switzerland.

Daily functioning and (health-related) quality of life of young adult survivors of childhood bacterial meningitis

To investigate daily functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and overall quality of life (QoL) in young adult survivors of childhood bacterial meningitis (BM) thereby shedding light on very long-term outcomes and contributing to global meningitis burden estimates. In this cross-sectional study, the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Self Report (WFIRS-S), the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Scale vGlobal Health v1.2 (PROMIS-GH), PROMIS-29 profile v2.01 and PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities Short Form 4a v2.0 instruments were administered to 483 survivors of childhood BM who participated in the 20|30 Dutch Postmeningitis study. Mean WFIRS-S scores were calculated as well as mean T-scores of the PROMIS instruments. PROMIS scores of survivors of childhood BM were compared with age-matched Dutch reference scores from the general population. Overall, survivors of childhood BM reported comparable or even better levels of daily functioning, HRQoL, and overall QoL (Global02) than the age-matched Dutch reference group. 10.2% of survivors of childhood BM reported poor mental health and 1.0% of survivors of childhood BM reported poor physical health. The average score of survivors of childhood BM for overall QoL (Global02) was 3.81 (on a scale from 1, indicating poor QoL, to 5, indicating excellent QoL).

CONCLUSION

Young adult survivors of childhood BM reported similar and even better levels of daily functioning, HRQoL, and overall QoL than age-matched Dutch reference scores. However, clinicians and healthcare workers should be mindful of poor mental and physical health of some survivors of childhood BM because these survivors also face problems with functioning in daily life.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Acute bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening infection which may lead to devastating lifelong disabilities. • Health-related quality of life is decreased in school-age survivors of bacterial meningitis.

WHAT IS NEW

• The present study shows that HRQoL in survivors of childhood BM improves over time • However, especially poor mental health in adolescent and young adult survivors is associated with impaired functioning in daily life.

Converting PROMIS®-29 v2.0 profile data to SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores in patients with cardiovascular disorders

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important outcome parameter in cardiology. The MOS 36-ltem Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the PROMIS-29 are two widely used generic measures providing composite HRQL scores. The domains of the SF-36, a well-established instrument utilized for several decades, can be aggregated to physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. Alternative scoring algorithms for correlated component scores (PCSc and MCSc) have also been suggested. The PROMIS-29 is a newer but increasingly used HRQL measure. Analogous to the SF-36, physical and mental health summary scores can be derived from PROMIS-29 domain scores, based on a correlated factor solution. So far, scores from the PROMIS-29 are not directly comparable to SF-36 results, complicating the aggregation of research findings. Thus, our aim was to provide algorithms to convert PROMIS-29 data to well-established SF-36 component summary scores.

METHODS

Data from n = 662 participants of the Berlin Long-term Observation of Vascular Events (BeLOVE) study were used to estimate linear regression models with either PROMIS-29 domain scores or aggregated PROMIS-29 physical/mental health summary scores as predictors and SF-36 physical/mental component summary scores as outcomes. Data from a subsequent assessment point (n = 259) were used to evaluate the agreement between empirical and predicted SF-36 scores.

RESULTS

PROMIS-29 domain scores as well as PROMIS-29 health summary scores showed high predictive value for PCS, PCSc, and MCSc (R2 ≥ 70%), and moderate predictive value for MCS (R2 = 57% and R2 = 40%, respectively). After applying the regression coefficients to new data, empirical and predicted SF-36 component summary scores were highly correlated (r > 0.8) for most models. Mean differences between empirical and predicted scores were negligible (|SMD|<0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides easy-to-apply algorithms to convert PROMIS-29 data to well-established SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores in a cardiovascular population. Applied to new data, the agreement between empirical and predicted SF-36 scores was high. However, for SF-36 mental component summary scores, considerably better predictions were found under the correlated (MCSc) than under the original factor model (MCS). Additionally, as a pertinent byproduct, our study confirmed construct validity of the relatively new PROMIS-29 health summary scores in cardiology patients.

Patient-reported outcomes in bilateral prophylactic mastectomy with breast reconstruction: A narrative review

In women at high risk of developing breast cancer, bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM) 1 significantly reduces the risk; simultaneously, breast reconstruction preserves body integrity. Given the complex and personal nature of such surgical procedures, patient assessment of satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 2 is essential in evaluation of surgical outcomes. With this review, we aim to organize the current knowledge on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 3 in bilateral prophylactic surgery. Literature search was conducted using the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science to address the following questions, which can help clinicians and women undergoing the procedures navigate their healthcare decision-making process: How does BPM with reconstruction influence cancer-related distress? How does the surgery impact patient satisfaction and HRQoL? How do preoperative PROs differ from postoperative outcomes? Does the type of BPM and the type of reconstruction impact patient satisfaction and HRQoL? Furthermore, we summarize available patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) 4 that can be administered to women undergoing BPM with reconstruction. In addition, we discuss possible future directions for PRO research in prophylactic breast surgery.

PROMIS Profile-29 is a valid instrument with distinct advantages over legacy instruments for measuring the quality of life in chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is increasingly used to measure health-related quality of life, yet, it has not been well-studied in chronic liver disease (CLD). This study compares PROMIS Profile-29 to Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) in patients with CLD.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

In all, 204 adult outpatients with CLD completed PROMIS-29, CLDQ, SF-36 and usability questionnaires. Mean scores were compared between groups, the correlation between domain scores was assessed, and floor/ceiling effects were calculated. Etiologies of CLD were NAFLD (44%), hepatitis C (16%), and alcohol (16%). Fifty-three percent had cirrhosis and 33% were Child-Pugh B/C with a mean model for end-stage liver disease score of 12.0. In all 3 tools, the poorest scores were in physical function and fatigue. The presence of cirrhosis or complications was associated with worse scores in most PROMIS Profile-29 domains, indicating known group validity. Strong correlations ( r ≥ 0.7) were present between Profile-29 and SF-36 or CLDQ domains measuring similar concepts, indicating strong convergent validity. Profile-29 was completed faster than SF-36 and CLDQ (5.4 ± 3.0, 6.7 ± 3.3, 6.5 ± 5.2 min, p = 0.003) and rated equally on usability. All CLDQ and SF-36 domains reached the floor or ceiling, while none were noted for Profile-29. These floor/ceiling effects were magnified when assessed in those with and without cirrhosis, indicating the improved depth of measurement by Profile-29.

CONCLUSIONS

Profile-29 is a valid, more efficient, well-received tool that provides an improved depth of measurement when compared to SF-36 and CLDQ and, therefore, an ideal tool to measure general health-related quality of life in CLD.

Patient-reported outcomes for people with diabetes: what and how to measure? A narrative review

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are valuable for shared decision making and research. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are questionnaires used to measure PROs, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). Although core outcome sets for trials and clinical practice have been developed separately, they, as well as other initiatives, recommend different PROs and PROMs. In research and clinical practice, different PROMs are used (some generic, some disease-specific), which measure many different things. This is a threat to the validity of research and clinical findings in the field of diabetes. In this narrative review, we aim to provide recommendations for the selection of relevant PROs and psychometrically sound PROMs for people with diabetes for use in clinical practice and research. Based on a general conceptual framework of PROs, we suggest that relevant PROs to measure in people with diabetes are: disease-specific symptoms (e.g. worries about hypoglycaemia and diabetes distress), general symptoms (e.g. fatigue and depression), functional status, general health perceptions and overall quality of life. Generic PROMs such as the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), or Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures could be considered to measure commonly relevant PROs, supplemented with disease-specific PROMs where needed. However, none of the existing diabetes-specific PROM scales has been sufficiently validated, although the Diabetes Symptom Self-Care Inventory (DSSCI) for measuring diabetes-specific symptoms and the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) for measuring distress showed sufficient content validity. Standardisation and use of relevant PROs and psychometrically sound PROMs can help inform people with diabetes about the expected course of disease and treatment, for shared decision making, to monitor outcomes and to improve healthcare. We recommend further validation studies of diabetes-specific PROMs that have sufficient content validity for measuring disease-specific symptoms and consider generic item banks developed based on item response theory for measuring commonly relevant PROs.

Psychophysiologic Symptom Relief Therapy (PSRT) for Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Objective

To determine if psychophysiologic symptom relief therapy (PSRT) will reduce symptom burden in patients suffering from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) who had mild/moderate acute COVID-19 disease without objective evidence of organ injury.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-three adults under the age of 60 with PASC for at least 12 weeks following COVID-19 infection were enrolled in an interventional cohort study conducted via virtual platform between May 18, 2021 and August 7, 2022. Participants received PSRT during a 13 week (approximately 44 hour) course. Participants were administered validated questionnaires at baseline and at 4, 8, and 13 weeks. The primary outcome was change in somatic symptoms from baseline, measured using the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8), at 13 weeks.

Results

The median duration of symptoms prior to joining the study was 267 days (IQR: 144, 460). The mean SSS-8 score of the cohort decreased from baseline by 8.5 (95% CI: 5.7-11.4), 9.4 (95% CI: 6.9-11.9), and 10.9 (95% CI: 8.3-13.5) at 4, 8, and 13 weeks respectively (all p<.001). Participants also experienced statistically significant improvements across other secondary outcomes including changes in dyspnea, fatigue, and pain (all p<.001).

Conclusion

PSRT may effectively decrease symptom burden in patients suffering from PASC without evidence of organ injury. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04854772).

Characteristics of Frailty in Perimenopausal Women with Long COVID-19

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of risk factors for frailty between perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome, women having successfully recovered from COVID-19, and controls from the community. Women with a diagnosis of long COVID-19 and at least one symptom related to the perimenopausal period, women who had successfully recovered from COVID-19, and healthy women of comparable age were included in this study. Symptom severity and functional disability were assessed with the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale, and the presence of frailty was evaluated considering the Fried criteria. A total of 195 women were included in the study, distributed over the three groups. The long COVID-19 group showed a higher prevalence of perimenopausal symptoms and impact of COVID-19. Statistically significant differences were found between the long COVID-19 group and the other two groups for the frailty variables. When studying the associations between frailty variables and COVID-19 symptom impact, significant positive correlations were found. Perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome present more frailty-related factors and experience a higher range of debilitating ongoing symptoms. A significant relationship is shown to exist between long COVID-19 syndrome-related disability and symptoms and frailty variables, resulting in an increased chance of presenting disability.

Psychometric properties and reference values of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep item banks in the Dutch general population

Psychometric properties of the v1.0 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) sleep disturbance (27 items) and sleep-related impairment (SRI; 16 items) item banks, short forms derived from the item bank, and simulated computerised adaptive test (CAT), were assessed in a representative sample of 1,006 adults from the Dutch general population. For sleep disturbance all items fitted the item response theory model. Four items showed differential item functioning (i.e., lack of measurement invariance) for age and two for language but the impact on scores (expressed as T-scores) was small. Reliable scores (r > 0.90) were found for 92.2%-96.3% of respondents with the full bank, short forms with six and eight items, and CAT, but for only 25.6% with the four-item short form. For SRI two items did not fit the item response theory model. Four items showed differential item functioning for language but the impact on T-scores was small. Reliable scores were found for 82.1% with the full bank, for 47.8%-69.5% with short forms and CAT. T-scores of 49.7 and 49.3 represent the average score of the Dutch general population for sleep disturbance and SRI, respectively. In conclusion, sufficient structural validity, reliability, and cross-cultural validity was found for the full banks but short forms of four items are not reliable enough for clinical practice. For SRI we recommend the full item bank if this is the primary outcome.

Hungarian PROMIS-29+2: psychometric properties and population reference values

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess psychometric properties of the Hungarian PROMIS-29+2 profile measure and provide general population reference values for Hungary.

METHODS

An adult general population sample (n = 1700) completed PROMIS-29+2 v2.1 in an online survey. The following psychometric properties were assessed: floor and ceiling effect, convergent validity with SF-36v1 domains, internal consistency (McDonald's omega), unidimensionality, local independence, monotonicity, graded response model (GRM) fit and differential item functioning (DIF). Age- and gender-specific reference values were established using the US item calibrations.

RESULTS

Depending on scale orientation, high floor or ceiling effects were observed for all domains (25.2-60.7%) except for sleep disturbance. McDonald's omega for domains ranged from 0.87-0.97. Unidimensionality, local independence and monotonicity were supported and the GRM adequately fitted for all but one domains. The sleep disturbance domain demonstrated item misfit, response level disordering and low discrimination ability, particularly for item Sleep116 ('refreshing sleep'). Strong correlations were observed between PROMIS-29+2 and corresponding SF-36 domains (r_s=│0.60│ to │0.78│). No DIF was detected for most sociodemographic characteristics. Problems with physical function, pain interference and social roles tended to increase, whereas problems with anxiety, depression, fatigue and cognitive function declined with age (p < 0.01). In all domains except for cognitive function, more health problems occurred in females than in males (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The Hungarian PROMIS-29+2 shows satisfactory psychometric properties; however, the sleep disturbance domain substantially underperforms that requires further attention. Population reference values were generated that facilitate the interpretation of health outcomes in various patient populations.