Quality of measurement properties in patient reported outcomes used in adult liver transplant candidates and recipients: a systematic review
van Knippenberg, Samira E M Powell-Brett, Sarah F Joshi, Kunal Weeda, Víola B Hartog, Hermien
van Knippenberg, Samira E M
Powell-Brett, Sarah F
Joshi, Kunal
Weeda, Víola B
Hartog, Hermien
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Publication date
2025-10-02
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Abstract
Objective: Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are increasingly recognized in liver transplant (LT)-patients, yet recent evaluations of their quality are lacking. This systematic review gives a comprehensive overview of available PROMs in adults awaiting or undergoing LT and their measurement properties.
Method: A systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and COCHRANE (01/2010-08/2023) included studies involving adult LT-candidates and/or recipients utilizing PROMs with original evaluations of measurement properties. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) was used to ascertain the quality of measurement properties.
Results: In total, 23 studies encompassing 35 PROMs were identified, including nine disease-specific and 26 generic PROMs. The (Short-form) Liver Disease Quality of Life ((SF-)LDQoL), Transplant Effects Questionnaire (TxEQ) and Post-Liver Transplant Quality of Life (pLTQ) were the most utilized disease-specific PROMs. Most studies demonstrated low-quality evidence for measurement properties. pLTQ demonstrated high-quality evidence for internal consistency, reliability, and responsiveness; the generic Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) showed strong evidence for internal consistency and construct validity.
Conclusion: Measurement properties in LT-patients remains of low-quality. pLTQ stands out for its superior methodological quality among disease-specific PROMs. For future studies, there is a strong recommendation to focus more on patients' subjective measures and their measurement properties.
Citation
van Knippenberg SEM, Powell-Brett SF, Joshi K, Weeda VB, Hartog H. Quality of Measurement Properties in Patient Reported Outcomes Used in Adult Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients: a Systematic Review. Transpl Int. 2025 Oct 2;38:14497. doi: 10.3389/ti.2025.14497.
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