Psychometric evaluation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in pediatric sickle cell

Maite E Houwing1, Michiel A J Luijten2,3,4,5, Madieke J Muntendam1

  • 1Department of Paediatric Haematology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Insights

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) measures show good reliability and validity for children with sickle cell disease. Proxy reports are a viable alternative to self-reports in pediatric sickle cell disease research.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Rheumatology
  • Psychometrics

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease significantly impacts children's physical, mental, and social well-being.
  • Early identification of health decline is crucial for timely intervention in pediatric sickle cell disease.
  • A lack of consensus exists regarding patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) for children with sickle cell disease in Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the psychometric properties of generic pediatric and proxy Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) measures.
  • To assess the suitability of PROMIS® measures for children with sickle cell disease in the Netherlands.
  • To determine if proxy reports can serve as a viable alternative to self-reports for PROMIS® in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 102 Dutch children (ages 5-17) with sickle cell disease and their caregivers.
  • Evaluation of PROMIS® item banks: Anger, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, Mobility, Pain Interference, Peer Relationships, Cognitive Functioning, and Global Health.
  • Assessment of unidimensionality, convergent and discriminant validity, reliability, and inter-rater reliability using confirmatory factor analysis and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.

Main Results:

  • All PROMIS® item banks demonstrated sufficient unidimensionality and convergent validity.
  • Acceptable reliability (alpha > 0.80) and low standard error of measurement (SEM < 0.44) were found for all measures.
  • Moderately-strong inter-rater reliability was observed, with lower correlations for "Peer Relationships" and "Global Health".

Conclusions:

  • PROMIS® measures exhibit adequate psychometric properties for application in pediatric sickle cell disease care and research.
  • Proxy-report PROMIS® measures are a feasible alternative to self-report measures in this population.
  • These findings support the use of PROMIS® for comprehensive assessment in pediatric sickle cell disease.