A COSMIN systematic review of generic patient-reported outcome measures in Switzerland

To conduct a systematic review of the quality of generic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for clinical or population research or practice using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, and to derive recommendations for usage of generic PROMs within Switzerland.

We searched six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane) and grey literature in Switzerland to identify studies reporting on the development or validation of any generic PROMs used in Switzerland. Methodological quality of each study was assessed with COSMIN's Risk of Bias Checklist. Measurement property evidence (content validity and psychometrics) was further evaluated according to COSMIN's criteria for good measurement properties. Overall evidence was synthesized according to COSMIN's modified GRADE approach to generate recommendations for future use or disuse of generic PROMs within Switzerland.

Data from k = 49 studies reporting on five PROMs (EQ-5D, SF-36, PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, WORQ) were included. Among these, the SF-36 can be recommended for use. The PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, and WORQ have the potential to be recommended for use, but require further validation. The EQ-5D is not recommendable for future use.

With a limited number of content validity studies, WHOQOL-BREF showed sufficiency with moderate quality, while other PROMs showed mixed quality ranging from very low to moderate. Synthesizing all measurement property evidence, SF-36 was identified as recommendable. PROMIS-29, WHOQOL-BREF, and WORQ were identified as potentially recommendable pending further validation evidence. The EQ-5D was identified as unrecommendable for future use within Switzerland.