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Validation of the minimal clinically important difference for modified activities assessment scale.
Niharika Neela1, Oscar A Olavarria1, Alexis P Rondon1
1Department of Surgery, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, United States; Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, United States.
American Journal of Surgery
|July 30, 2021
Summary
This study validated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the modified activities assessment scale (mAAS) using patient-reported outcomes. Recommended MCID values for the AW-QOL with mAAS are 5 and 15.
Area of Science:
- Health Outcomes Research
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Clinical Measurement Validation
Background:
- The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) quantifies the smallest change in patient scores considered clinically meaningful.
- Validating the MCID of the modified activities assessment scale (mAAS) is crucial for accurate interpretation of patient-reported outcomes.
- The study focused on the Abdominal Wall Quality of Life (AW-QOL) scale, a component of the mAAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the modified activities assessment scale (mAAS).
- To establish reliable MCID values for the Abdominal Wall Quality of Life (AW-QOL) scale within the mAAS framework.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for interpreting changes in patient-reported outcomes using the mAAS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving patients undergoing abdomen/pelvis CT scans.
- Patient-reported outcomes (AW-QOL) assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up.
- Anchor-based and distribution-based methods used to calculate MCID for AW-QOL.
Main Results:
- 181 patients completed the study; 52.8% reported no change, 39.2% improvement, and 8.3% worsening in AW-QOL.
- Anchor-based MCID for AW-QOL was calculated as 4.
- Distribution-based MCID for AW-QOL was calculated as 16.
Conclusions:
- The study validates previous findings on the range of mAAS MCID.
- Recommended MCID values for AW-QOL using the mAAS are 5 (anchor-based) and 15 (distribution-based).
- These validated MCID values enhance the clinical utility of the mAAS for assessing patient outcomes.
