Evaluation of the PROMIS physical function item bank in orthopaedic patients

Abstract

The patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) physical function item bank v1 (PPFIB) contains 124 item response theory (IRT) calibrated items (Rose et al. 2008. J Clin Epidemiol 61:17-33). We report the psychometric properties of these items within an outpatient, orthopaedic patient population. In particular, we investigated whether a single unidimensional IRT scale can adequately define physical function of patients presenting with primarily upper or lower extremity orthopaedic complaints. We conducted a prospective study at an orthopaedic outpatient clinic to collect data from 865 adult patients with all 124 PROMIS physical function items and seven demographic items. Items were evaluated by a Rasch model. Total variance (60.6%) across the 124 items was explained by a single Rasch dimension. The variance explained by the second dimension was 7.7%, reflecting differential item functioning in the upper and lower extremity patients. The upper extremity physical function items had a pronounced ceiling effect. A single physical function dimension accounts for most of the item variance in the PPFIB, suggesting that the items are measuring predominately one single construct. Separate subscales for lower versus upper extremities, especially with additional items at the upper trait level of the upper extremity subscale, may further enhance evaluation of physical function in orthopaedic patients. ß

Higher Frequency of Reoperation With a New Bicruciate-retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty

“…The PF-CAT includes a total of 124 physical function items across five categories related to activities of daily living and the Global10 is a 10-item instrument representing five primary domains (physical functioning, pain, fatigue, emotional distress, social health) with cutoffs across domains [4,5,10]. Both outcome measures have demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties [4,5,10,11]. Preoperative physical health was assessed using the ASA Physical Status classification system, which is a 6-point categorical scale and evaluates the degree of a patient's physical health before undergoing anesthesia and surgery [24].…”

The PROMIS Physical Function Correlates With the QuickDASH in Patients With Upper Extremity Illness

“…The questions do not refer to a particular recall period, but involve the participant's status at the time of completion [7,21,35].…”

Correlation of PROMIS Physical Function and Pain CAT Instruments with Oswestry Disability Index and Neck Disability Index in Spine Patients

“…8 Several clinical studies have been published recently using PROMIS CAT as the primary outcome measure. [9][10][11] The Oswestry Disability Index has emerged as one of the most widely used spine specific outcome measures. [12][13][14][15] It was originally introduced in 1976 by Obrien et al and was published in 1980.…”