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Periprosthetic joint infection : development of a core outcome set
Ian W Kennedy1,2, , Fares S Haddad3,4,5,6
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Insights
A new core outcome set (COS) standardizes reporting for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) research. This framework improves consistency, aiding evidence synthesis and clinical decision-making for this complication of arthroplasty.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of arthroplasty, leading to significant patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses.
- Current outcome reporting inconsistencies in PJI research impede effective evidence synthesis and clinical progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a standardized Core Outcome Set (COS) for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) research.
- To enhance the consistency and comparability of outcome reporting in PJI studies.
Main Methods:
- A modified two-stage Delphi process involving international experts and patient representatives.
- A consensus process with 55 stakeholders to finalize the COS, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data.
Main Results:
- Achieved high consensus on a comprehensive COS for PJI research.
- The final COS comprises 23 outcomes across four domains: patient demographics, infection characteristics, treatment details, and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The developed COS offers a standardized framework to improve PJI outcome reporting.
- This standardization aims to facilitate robust evidence synthesis and inform clinical decision-making for PJI management.
Aims:
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of arthroplasty, with substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, inconsistencies in outcome reporting have hindered evidence synthesis, limiting progress in understanding and management. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for PJI to standardize outcome reporting in the literature.
Methods:
A two-stage modified Delphi process was conducted to establish consensus across a range of domains. Stage 1 involved the identification of core outcomes in PJI research by an international expert panel. A patient group was also consulted to ensure that the domains were relevant to patient priorities. Stage 2 included a broader group of 55 stakeholders in an online consensus process to finalize the COS. Quantitative and qualitative data were collated to redefine the outcomes throughout the Delphi process.
Results:
Following the modified two-stage Delphi process, a high level of consensus was achieved for all outcomes. The final COS included 23 outcomes across the following four domains: patient demographics and baseline characteristics; infection characteristics; surgical and treatment details; and outcomes and follow-up.
Conclusion:
The developed COS provides a standardized framework for reporting outcomes in PJI research. By addressing variability and inconsistency in the literature, this COS aims to enhance comparability across studies, support robust evidence synthesis, and ultimately guide clinical decision-making.
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