Generic PROMIS item banks in adults with hemophilia for patient-reported outcome assessment: Feasibility, measurement properties, and relevance

Background: Legacy hemophilia-specific questionnaires are considered too long, show floor-/ceiling effects, and/or include irrelevant questions. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) item banks, including Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) and short forms, were designed for more efficient outcome assessment.

Objectives: Evaluate the feasibility, measurement properties, and relevance of seven PROMIS CATs and two short forms in patients with hemophilia.

Patients/Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Dutch adults with hemophilia completed nine PROMIS item banks electronically. Feasibility was assessed by number of items and floor/ceiling effects. Reliability was determined as the proportion of reliable scores (standard error ≤3.2). Construct validity was assessed by comparison with legacy instruments and expected differences between subgroups. Relevance of item banks was determined by proportions of limited scores.

Results: Overall, 142 of 373 invited patients (mean age, 47 [range, 18-79], 49% severe hemophilia, 46% receiving prophylaxis) responded. Per CAT item bank, mean number of items answered varied from 5 (range, 3-12) to 9 (range, 5-12), with floor effects in pain interference (26% lowest scores) and depression (18% lowest scores). Construct validity and reliability were good for physical function, pain interference, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and fatigue. The CAT physical function showed the most limited scores (38%). The self-efficacy short forms showed ceiling effects (22%-28%) and no relation with the legacy instruments.

Conclusions: The PROMIS CATs physical function, pain interference, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and fatigue are feasible, reliable, and valid alternatives to legacy instruments for patients with hemophilia, with few items and low floor-/ceiling effects.