The International Standard Set of Outcome Measures for the Assessment of Hearing in People with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Abstract

Objective The aim is to recommend a minimum standard set of clinician-reported outcome measures (CROMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on hearing for people with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). This project is part of the larger “Key4OI” project initiated by the “Care4BrittleBones foundation” of which the goal is to improve quality of life of people with OI. Key4OI provides a standard set of outcome measures and covers a large set of domains affecting the well-being of people with OI. Methods An international team of experts in OI, comprising specialists in audiological science, medical specialists, and an expert patient representative, used a modified Delphi consensus process to select CROMs and PROMs to evaluate hearing problems in people with OI. In addition, focus groups of people with OI identified key consequences of their hearing loss. These criteria were matched to categories of preselected questionnaires to select a PROM that matched their specific hearing-related concerns best. Results Consensus on PROMs for adults and CROMs for adults and children was reached. The focus of the CROMs was on specific audiological outcome measures and standardized follow-up. Conclusions This project resulted in a clear consensus statement for standardization of hearing-related PROMs and CROMs and follow-up management of patients with OI. This standardization of outcome measurements will facilitate comparability of research and easier international cooperation in OI and hearing loss. Furthermore, it can improve standard of care in people with OI and hearing loss by incorporating the recommendations into care pathways.

Medical Care Use Among Patients with Monogenic Osteoporosis Due to Rare Variants in LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1

“…This suggests that they may be at a higher risk of developing hearing issues. While it is possible that some of these DTCs could be attributed to patients being examined more often due to a suspicious diagnosis of OI, it is worth noting that routine screening for hearing issues in OI patients without hearing complaints is being proposed but is not yet commonplace as no guideline for hearing testing in OI currently exists [ 33 ]. Hearing loss, whether conductive, mixed, or sensorineural, is common in OI patients [ 34 , 35 ].…”