Evidence from diverse clinical populations supported clinical validity of PROMIS pain interference and pain behavior

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6181444e144">Objective</h5> <p id="P2">To evaluate clinical validity, including responsiveness, of PROMIS ^® Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) and Pain Behavior (PROMIS-PB) T-scores. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6181444e152">Study Design and Setting</h5> <p id="P3">Data were aggregated from longitudinal studies of cancer, chronic low back pain (cLBP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare baseline score differences and score changes over time. We calculated standardized response means (SRMs) for subgroups defined by self-reported change in general health and pain. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6181444e157">Results</h5> <p id="P4">1357 individuals participated at baseline and 1225 at follow-up. Hypotheses of significant change in PROMIS-PI and PROMIS-PB scores were supported in the intervention groups (cLBP and MDD). Differences in baseline scores for COPD-exacerbators compared to stable-COPD patients were in the hypothesized direction but were not statistically significant. Subgroups reporting better health showed corresponding negative SRM values supporting responsiveness of T-scores to improvement. Responsiveness to decrements was supported in some but not all clinical groups and varied by anchor. More congruent values were obtained when using a pain-specific anchor. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d6181444e162">Conclusion</h5> <p id="P5">This study provides evidence that PROMIS-PI and –PB scores are sensitive to changes in pain in studies of interventions expected to impact pain. The results inform estimation of meaningful change and support power analyses for comparative effectiveness research. </p> </div>