Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments in Pediatric Deformity Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Medical Research
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Patient-reported outcome instruments (PROIs) are increasingly vital in evidence-based medicine and cost-effectiveness research.
• Awareness of PROIs used in pediatric deformity surgery and their trends is crucial for researchers and consensus writers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient-reported outcome instruments (PROIs) utilized in pediatric deformity surgery research over the last decade.
• To analyze the frequency and usage trends of these PROIs.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis was conducted, reviewing five top orthopedic journals from 2004 to 2013.
• Clinical studies reporting PROIs in pediatric deformity surgery were analyzed for publication year, level of evidence, and specific PROIs used.
• Mean and range scores for frequently used PROIs were analyzed at 2-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• A total of 79 studies utilized PROIs, identifying 21 named instruments and 6 custom questionnaires.
• Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 (32.9%) and SRS-24 (29.1%) were the most frequently used instruments.
• Level of evidence III was most common (39.2%), with only one Level I study identified. Mean SRS scores improved postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• Scoliosis Research Society instruments are prevalent (74.7%) in pediatric deformity studies, indicating a consensus on their use.
• Consistent adoption of the most current SRS version (SRS-22r) requires improvement.
• General health questionnaires are underused, and better reporting of PROI versions is needed.