Development of a brief clinician-reported outcome measure of multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms: The Clinician Rating of Multiple Sclerosis (CRoMS)

A scoping review to create a framework for the steps in developing condition-specific preference-based instruments de novo or from an existing non-preference-based instrument: use of item response theory or Rasch analysis

BACKGROUND

There is no widely accepted framework to guide the development of condition-specific preference-based instruments (CSPBIs) that includes both de novo and from existing non-preference-based instruments. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by reviewing the published literature on CSPBIs, with particular attention to the application of item response theory (IRT) and Rasch analysis in their development.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature covering the concepts of all phases of CSPBI development and evaluation was performed from MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to December 30, 2022.

RESULTS

The titles and abstracts of 1,967 unique references were reviewed. After retrieving and reviewing 154 full-text articles, data were extracted from 109 articles, representing 41 CSPBIs covering 21 diseases or conditions. The development of CSPBIs was conceptualized as a 15-step framework, covering four phases: 1) develop initial questionnaire items (when no suitable non-preference-based instrument exists), 2) establish the dimensional structure, 3) reduce items per dimension, 4) value and model health state utilities. Thirty-nine instruments used a type of Rasch model and two instruments used IRT models in phase 3.

CONCLUSION

We present an expanded framework that outlines the development of CSPBIs, both from existing non-preference-based instruments and de novo when no suitable non-preference-based instrument exists, using IRT and Rasch analysis. For items that fit the Rasch model, developers selected one item per dimension and explored item response level reduction. This framework will guide researchers who are developing or assessing CSPBIs.

Understanding the Symptoms and Impacts Experienced by People with Relapsing-Remitting MS: A Qualitative Investigation Using Semi-Structured Interviews

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease with unpredictable clinical manifestations. As clinical assessments may not fully capture the impact of MS on quality of life, they can be complemented by patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to provide a more comprehensive picture of MS disease state and impact. The objectives of this study were to explore the experiences of people with relapsing-remitting MS, including symptoms and impacts on daily life, and to provide a conceptual model of MS outcomes.

METHODS

A literature review of studies that evaluated the experiences of people with MS was completed and combined with semi-structured concept elicitation interviews conducted with 14 people with relapsing-remitting MS in the USA.

RESULTS

The average age of the 14 participants was 43.9 (range 25-64) years, most were White (78.6%) and female (78.6%), and the mean duration since diagnosis was 6.6 (2-10) years. The most bothersome symptoms identified included fatigue (n = 9), cognitive dysfunction (n = 5), mobility/difficulty with walking (n = 3), and vision problems (n = 3). The most commonly reported impacts on daily life were balance problems/instability (n = 13), work life/productivity (n = 12), difficulty walking (n = 11), daily activities/household chores (n = 11), and leisure activities (n = 10).

CONCLUSION

There was a high frequency of concepts associated with physical function, fatigue, and sensory-motor actions. A conceptual model was developed that captures the disease symptoms, impairments, and impacts identified in the interviews as well as known processes and symptoms identified in the literature search. This model underpins the appropriateness of PRO instruments, such as the PROMIS Fatigue (MS) 8a and PROMIS Physical Function (MS) 15a, which evaluate symptoms and impacts that matter most to people with MS.

A scoping review on muscle cramps and spasms in upper motor neuron disorder-two sides of the same coin?

Background

Muscle cramps are typically regarded as benign muscle overactivity in healthy individuals, whereas spasms are linked to spasticity resulting from central motor lesions. However, their striking similarities made us hypothesize that cramping is an under-recognized and potentially misidentified aspect of spasticity.

Methods

A systematic search on spasms and cramps in patients with Upper Motor Neuron Disorder (spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke) was carried out in Embase/Medline, aiming to describe the definitions, characteristics, and measures of spasms and cramps that are used in the scientific literature.

Results

The search identified 4,202 studies, of which 253 were reviewed: 217 studies documented only muscle spasms, 7 studies reported only cramps, and 29 encompassed both. Most studies (n = 216) lacked explicit definitions for either term. One-half omitted any description and when present, the clinical resemblance was significant. Various methods quantified cramp/spasm frequency, with self-reports being the most common approach.

Conclusion

Muscle cramps and spasms probably represent related symptoms with a shared pathophysiological component. When considering future treatment strategies, it is important to recognize that part of the patient's spasms may be attributed to cramps.

Outcome measures for physical fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Physical fatigue can be a common reason for early retirement or sick leave since it appears in the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, a prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential. This systematic review aims to identify and describe the instruments used to assess physical fatigue in MS patients with consideration for the languages used to validate the instruments and their methodological qualities.

AREA COVERED

This study has been carried out through 'Medline,' 'Scopus,' 'Cinhal,' and 'Web of Science' databases for all the papers published before 24 January 2020. Three independent authors have chosen the eligible studies based upon pre-set criteria of inclusion. Data collection, data items, and assessment of the risk of bias: the data extraction approach was chosen based on the Cochrane Methods. For data collection, the authors followed the recommendations from the COSMIN initiative. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the COSMIN Check List.

EXPERT OPINION

119 publications have been reviewed. The 45 assessment scales can be divided into specific scales for physical fatigue and specific scales for MS. The most popular tools are the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.

A Scoring Algorithm for Deriving Utility Values from the Neuro-QoL for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

The Neuro-QoL is a standardized approach to assessing health-related quality of life in people with neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Item banks were developed with item response theory (IRT) methodology so items are calibrated along a continuum of each construct. The purpose of this study was to develop a preference-based scoring algorithm for the Neuro-QoL to derive utilities that could be used in economic modeling.

METHODS

With input from neurologists, 6 Neuro-QoL domains were selected based on relevance to MS and used to define health states for a utility elicitation study in the United Kingdom. General population participants and individuals with MS valued the health states and completed questionnaires (including Neuro-QoL short forms). The Neuro-QoL Utility Scoring System (NQU) was derived based on multi-attribute utility theory using data from the general population sample. Single-attribute disutility functions for 6 Neuro-QoL domains were estimated using isotonic regression with linear interpolation and then combined with a multiplicative model. NQU validity was assessed using MS participant data.

RESULTS

Interviews were completed with 203 general population participants (50.2% female; mean age = 45.0 years) and 62 participants with MS (62.9% female; mean age = 46.1 years). Mean (SD) NQU scores were 0.94 (0.06) and 0.82 (0.13) for the general population and MS samples, respectively. The NQU demonstrated known-groups validity by differentiating among subgroups categorized based on level of disability. The NQU demonstrated convergent validity via correlations with generic measures (0.66 and 0.63 with EQ-5D-5L and Health Utilities Index Mark 3, respectively; both P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

With the NQU, utilities can be derived from any MS treatment group, subgroup, or patient sample who completes items from 6 Neuro-QoL domains. Because the Neuro-QoL is frequently used with MS patients, the NQU greatly expands the options for quantifying outcomes in cost-utility analyses conducted to inform allocation of resources for MS treatment.