Age Significantly Affects Response Rate to Outcomes Questionnaires Using Mobile Messaging Software

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the demographic factors that influence time to respond (TTR), time to completion (TTC), and response rate when using a text messaging-based system and to determine the feasibility and applicability of mobile messaging-based services for collection of patient-reported outcomes among orthopaedic sports medicine patients. Methods: On the day of surgery, patient mobile phone number was collected and the automated mobile messaging service (MOSIO, Seattle, WA) messaged patients for 10``days postoperatively. Patient visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected 3 times daily, side effects were asked each evening, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI) Short Form was collected on postoperative day 3 and 7. Results: A total of 177 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall response rate to the survey questions was 75.0%. For all patients, the average TTR of questions was 35.09 AE 12.57 minutes. The TTC was 2.75 AE 3.56 minutes for PROMIS-PI, 3.51 AE 1.26 minutes for VAS, and 3.80 AE 6.87 for side-effect questions. When patients were stratified into age groups, the youngest group, 16 to 32 years, had the greatest response rate of 85.2% and patients in the 49 to 59 years group had the lowest response rate of 68.4% and 69.1%, respectively (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the TTR or TTC for VAS, PROMIS-PI, or side-effect questions when patients were stratified by age or sex groups (P > .05). Conclusions: Collectively, all age groups successfully achieved a mean response rate of 75%; however, significantly lower response rates were observed for patients >49 years old. Differences in age and sex did not impact the overall TTR or TTC for VAS, PROMIS-PI, or side-effect questions. Mobile-based applications present as an emerging opportunity to track postoperative outcome scores and reduce clinic survey load. Level of Evidence: Case series, level of evidence IV.

Predictors of Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Response Rates Among Patients With Rotator Cuff Repair

“…‡ Contrary to our finding, some studies found older age to be associated with worse response rates. 3,10,15,16,26,34,38 When this occurs, it could distort (i.e., lower) postoperative PROM scores in a population of patients who have undergone RCR due to worse overall outcomes for this population. For example, older patients have higher retear rates.…”

Development and Validation of a Short-Form Version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Scale (Short-WOSI)

“…However, when using collection systems that feature SMS text messaging to send PROMs to patients, sex differences in response rates are no longer present, and younger patients are instead the most responsive age group instead of being the least responsive group. 10,31 With this in mind, the validated 7-item Short-WOSI may lend itself to more easily be incorporated into SMS text messaging systems when compared with the full-length WOSI instrument. Other studies have used automated text messaging to deliver PROM questionnaires with a similar number of items to patient populations ranging from those with anterior cruciate ligament injuries to knee osteoarthritis.…”