Hip and knee replacement patients prefer pen-and-paper questionnaires: Implications for future patient-reported outcome measure studies

Exploration of the Feasibility of Remote Assessment of Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Parents' Perspectives and Related Contextual Factors

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted face-to-face health services, leveraging telehealth strategies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate, from a parent's perspective, the feasibility of a remote assessment of functioning in children with developmental disabilities during the pandemic and related contextual factors, based on how parents carry out the assessment. Parents of children with developmental disabilities (mean age = 7.56 ± 3.68) responded to a remote assessment via electronic forms and telephone interview. We analyzed parents' perspectives about the feasibility of the assessment. We also tested the association between feasibility score and sociodemographics/pandemic experience. Regression analysis tested if children's functioning characteristics predicted feasibility. A total of 57 mothers completed the remote assessment, and more than 95% did not report difficulties in accessing/responding to electronic forms. They scored remote assessment as easy and feasible, and reported no difficulties with telephone interview. Greater feasibility rates were related to lower maternal age (rho Spearman = -0.290; p = 0.029). The model shows that children's characteristics predicted 20.4% of feasibility (p < 0.005). Remote assessment showed to be feasible. Younger mothers might consider easier-to-use technologies, beyond considering remote assessment more viable. These results can guide the next steps in research and remote clinical practice.

Loss to patient-reported outcome measure follow-up after hip arthroplasty and knee arthroplasty

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine satisfaction rates after hip and knee arthroplasty in patients who did not respond to postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), characteristics of non-responders, and contact preferences to maximize response rates.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of patients planned to undergo hip arthroplasty (n = 713) and knee arthroplasty (n = 737) at a UK university teaching hospital who had completed preoperative PROMs questionnaires, including the EuroQol five-dimension health-related quality of life score, and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Follow-up questionnaires were sent by post at one year, including satisfaction scoring. Attempts were made to contact patients who did not initially respond. Univariate, logistic regression, and receiver operator curve analysis was performed.

Results

At one year, 667 hip patients (93.5%) and 685 knee patients (92.9%) had undergone surgery and were alive. No response was received from 151/667 hip patients (22.6%), 83 (55.0%) of whom were ultimately contacted); or from 108/685 knee patients (15.8%), 91 (84.3%) of whom were ultimately contacted. There was no difference in satisfaction after arthroplasty between initial non-responders and responders for hips (74/81 satisfied vs 476/516 satisfied; p = 0.847) or knees (81/93 satisfied vs 470/561 satisfied; p = 0.480). Initial non-response and persistent non-response was associated with younger age, higher BMIs, and worse preoperative PROMs for both hip and knee patients (p < 0.050). Being in employment was associated with persistent non-response for hip patients (p = 0.047). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that younger age (p < 0.038), higher BMI (p = 0.018), and poorer preoperative OHS (p = 0.031) were independently associated with persistent non-response to hip PROMs. No independent associations were identified for knees. Using a threshold of > 66.4 years predicted a preference for contact by post (area under the curve 0.723 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.647 to 0.799; p < 0.001, though this CI crosses the 0.7 limit considered reliable).

Conclusion

The majority of initial non-responders were ultimately contactable with effort. Satisfaction rates were not inferior in patients who did not initially respond to PROMs.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(4):275–283.

Sociodemographic Differences in Respondent Preferences for Survey Formats: Sampling Bias and Potential Threats to External Validity

Objective

To explore sampling bias as a result of survey format selection by examining associations between characteristics of people aging with long-term physical disability (PAwLTPD) and their preferences for phone or web-based survey format.

Design

A cross-sectional study using a secondary data analysis approach.

Setting

Data were from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study conducted in the community.

Participants

Convenience sampling was used. PAwLTPD who participated in year 2 of the longitudinal cohort study were included. Inclusion criteria were age 45-65 years, English speaking, and self-reported onset of a physical disability at least 5 years prior to study recruitment. Two participants completed the survey using both phone and web formats and were thus excluded; 387 participants (N=387) were included in the analysis.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Choice of survey format and demographics (age, sex, race and ethnicity, marital status, living arrangement, socioeconomic status) were collected in addition to self-rated physical health.

Results

Participants were on average 58.2±5.6 years old. A total of 33% were male, and 62% were White. Approximately 40% of participants completed phone surveys. The phone survey group was significantly older (t=−4.76, P<.001) and had lower education (U=11133, z=−6.65, P<.001) and lower self-rated physical health (U=15420, z=−2.38, P=.017) than the web survey group. Participants who were White (χ²=60.69; df=1; P<.001; odds ratio [OR], 0.18) or were in a long-term relationship were less likely to choose phone surveys (χ²=42.20; df=1; P<.001; OR, 0.21). Those who earned $10,008 or less annually (χ²=53.90; df=1; P<.001; OR, 5.22) or who lived alone (χ²=36.26; df=1; P<.001; OR, 3.64) were more likely to choose phone surveys. Participants with paid work (χ²=16.81, df=1, P<.001) tended to select web-based surveys, while those on disability leave (χ²=9.61, df=1, P<.01) were more likely to choose phone surveys.

Conclusions

Sociodemographics are associated with survey format choice in PAwLTPD. Findings largely support the existing understanding of digital literacy but also provide insight into the potential occurrence of sampling bias when multiple survey format options are not offered. These findings have implications for investigators who aim to reach a more representative sample of people with disabilities.

Feasibility of Collecting Multiple Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Alongside the Dutch Arthroplasty Register

Background:

Compliance rates with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) collected alongside arthroplasty registries vary in the literature. We described the feasibility of a routinely collected set PROMs alongside the Dutch Arthroplasty Register.

Methods:

The longitudinal Leiden Orthopaedics Outcomes of OsteoArthritis Study is a multicenter (7 hospitals), observational study including patients undergoing total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA). A set of PROMs: Short Form-12, EuroQol 5 Dimensions, Hip/Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Oxford Hip/Knee Score was collected preoperatively and at 6, 12, 24 months, and every 2 years thereafter. Participation rates and response rates were recorded.

Results:

Between June 2012 and December 2014, 1796 THA and 1636 TKA patients were invited, of whom 1043 THA (58%; mean age 68 years [standard deviation, SD: 10]) and 970 TKA patients (59%; mean age 71 years [SD 9.5]) participated in the study. At 6 months, 35 THA/38 TKA patients were lost to follow-up. Response rates were 90% for THA (898/1000) and 89% for TKA (827/932) participants. At 1 and 2 years, 8 and 18 THA and 17 and 11 TKA patients were lost to follow-up, respectively. The response rates among those eligible were 87% (866/992) and 84% (812/972) for THA and 84% (771/917) and 83% (756/906) for TKA patients, respectively. The 2-year questionnaire was completed by 78.5% of the included THA patients and by 77.9% of the included TKA patients.

Conclusions:

About 60% of patients undergoing THA or TKA complete PROMs preoperatively, with more than 80% returning follow-up PROMs. To increase the participation rates, more efforts concerning the initial recruitment of patients are needed.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Electronic Patient-reported Outcome Measures: Systematic Review

Background

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important in clinical practice and research. The growth of electronic health technologies provides unprecedented opportunities to systematically collect information via PROMs.

Objective

The aim of this study was to provide an objective and comprehensive overview of the benefits, barriers, and disadvantages of the digital collection of qualitative electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs).

Methods

We performed a systematic review of articles retrieved from PubMED and Web of Science. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed during all stages. The search strategy yielded a total of 2333 records, from which 32 met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relevant ePROM-related information was extracted from each study.

Results

Results were clustered as benefits and disadvantages. Reported benefits of ePROMs were greater patient preference and acceptability, lower costs, similar or faster completion time, higher data quality and response rates, and facilitated symptom management and patient-clinician communication. Tablets were the most used ePROM modality (14/32, 44%), and, as a platform, Web-based systems were used the most (26/32, 81%). Potential disadvantages of ePROMs include privacy protection, a possible large initial financial investment, and exclusion of certain populations or the “digital divide.”

Conclusions

In conclusion, ePROMs offer many advantages over paper-based collection of patient-reported outcomes. Overall, ePROMs are preferred over paper-based methods, improve data quality, result in similar or faster completion time, decrease costs, and facilitate clinical decision making and symptom management. Disadvantages regarding ePROMs have been outlined, and suggestions are provided to overcome the barriers. We provide a path forward for researchers and clinicians interested in implementing ePROMs.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42018094795; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=94795

Three Out of Ten Working Patients Expect No Clinical Improvement of Their Ability to Perform Work-Related Knee-Demanding Activities After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Study

Purpose Three out of ten patients do not return to work after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patient expectations are suggested to play a key role. What are patients' expectations regarding the ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months after TKA compared to their preoperative status? Methods A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed among 292 working patients listed for TKA. The Work Osteoarthritis or joint-Replacement Questionnaire (WORQ, range 0-100, minimal important difference 13) was used to assess the preoperatively experienced and expected ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months postoperatively. Differences between the preoperative and expected WORQ scores were tested and the most difficult knee-demanding work-related activities were described. Results Two hundred thirty-six working patients (81%) completed the questionnaire. Patients' expected WORQ score (Median = 75, IQR 60-86) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than their preoperative WORQ score (Median = 44, IQR 35-56). A clinical improvement in ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities was expected by 72% of the patients, while 28% of the patients expected no clinical improvement or even worse ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months after TKA. Of the patients, 34% expected severe difficulty in kneeling, 30% in crouching and 17% in clambering 6 months after TKA. Conclusions Most patients have high expectations, especially regarding activities involving deep knee flexion. Remarkably, three out of ten patients expect no clinical improvement or even a worse ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months postoperatively compared to their preoperative status. Therefore, addressing patients expectations seems useful in order to assure realistic expectations regarding work activities.

The Swedish RAND-36 Health Survey - reliability and responsiveness assessed in patient populations using Svensson's method for paired ordinal data

Background

The Short Form 36-Item Survey is one of the most commonly used instruments for assessing health-related quality of life. Two identical versions of the original instrument are currently available: the public domain, license free RAND-36 and the commercial SF-36.

RAND-36 is not available in Swedish. The purpose of this study was threefold: to translate and culturally adapt the RAND-36 into Swedish; to evaluate its reliability and responsiveness using Svensson’s method for paired ordered categorical data; and to assess the usability of an electronic version of the questionnaire.

The translation process included forward and backward translations and reconciliation. Test-retest reliability was examined during a period of two-weeks in 84 patients undergoing dialysis for chronic kidney disease. Responsiveness was examined in 97 patients before and 2 months after a cardiac rehabilitation program. Usability tests and cognitive debriefing of the electronic questionnaire were carried out with 18 patients.

Results

The Swedish translation of the RAND-36 was conceptually equivalent to the English version. Test-retest reliability was supported by non-significant relative position (RP) values among dialysis patients for all RAND-36 subscales (range − 0.02 to 0.10; all confidence intervals (CI) included zero). Responsiveness was demonstrated by significant improvements in RP values among cardiac rehabilitation patients for all subscales (range 0.22–0.36; lower limits of all CI > 0.1) except two subscales (General health, RP -0.02; CI -0.13 to 0.10; and Role functioning/emotional, RP 0.03; CI -0.09 to 0.16). In cardiac rehabilitation patients, sizable individual variation (RV > 0.2) was also shown for the Pain, Energy/fatigue and Social functioning subscales.

The electronic version of RAND-36 was found easy and intuitive to use.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence supporting the reliability and responsiveness of the newly translated Swedish RAND-36 and the user-friendliness of the electronic version. Svensson’s method for paired ordinal data was able to characterize not only the direction and size of differences among the patients’ responses at different time points but also variations in response patterns within groups. The method is therefore, besides being suitable for ordinal data, also an important and novel tool for gaining insights into patients’ response patterns to treatment or interventions, thus informing individualized care.

Prospective quality of life assessment after hip and knee arthroplasty: short- and mid-term follow-up results

Background

Hip and knee arthroplasty aims to restore the joint function and to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with articular damage. It is important to quantify the HRQoL improvement and when this is achieved. The Oxford knee score and the Oxford hip score were developed to evaluate patients after knee and hip arthroplasty. We sought to evaluate HRQoL changes in the short and mid term following either primary or revision hip and knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Prospective cohort study during a 20-month period (August 2013 to March 2015) in a tertiary referral hospital. Primary arthroplasties secondary to osteoarthritis and any-cause revisions were included (328, 160 knees, and 88 hips). They were divided into 4 groups: (1) primary knee replacement, (2) primary hip replacement, (3) revision knee replacement, and (4) revision hip replacement. Oxford knee and hip scores were obtained prior the surgery and compared with the short- and mid-term follow-up scores.

Results

Follow-up in the short term and mid term was: 75.6% and 67.4%, respectively. Improvement was found in both short-term and mid-term follow-up for each group and for the overall group in HRQoL as measured by the Oxford knee and hip scores (P < .001). The greatest improvement was seen in the short term with an increase of 21 points for primary knee arthroplasty; 24 points for primary hip arthroplasty; 22 points for revision knee arthroplasty; and 23 points for revision hip arthroplasty.

Conclusions

Improvement in HRQoL in patients following primary or revision hip or knee arthroplasty is crucial and can be achieved early after the surgery.

Variation in use of non-surgical treatments among osteoarthritis patients in orthopaedic practice in the Netherlands

OBJECTIVES

National and international evidence-based guidelines for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) recommend to start with non-surgical treatments, followed by surgical intervention if a patient does not respond sufficiently to non-surgical treatments, but there are indications that these are not optimally used. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which all recommended non-surgical treatments were used by patients with hip or knee OA who receive(d) a total hip or knee replacement, as reported by patients and orthopaedic surgeons.

SETTING

We performed two cross-sectional internet-based surveys among patients and orthopaedic surgeons throughout the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

195 OA patients either have undergone total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty no longer than 12 months ago or being on the waiting list for surgery with a confirmed date within 3 months and 482 orthopaedic surgeons were invited to participate.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The use of recommended non-surgical treatments including education about OA/treatment options, lifestyle advice, dietary therapy, physical therapy, acetaminophen, NSAIDs and glucocorticoid injections.

RESULTS

174 OA patients (93%) and 172 orthopaedic surgeons (36%) completed the surveys. Most recommended non-surgical treatments were given to the majority of patients (eg, 80% education about OA, 73% physical therapy, 72% acetaminophen, 80% NSAIDs). However, only 6% of patients and 10% of orthopaedic surgeons reported using a combination of all recommended treatments. Dietary therapy was used least frequently. Only 11% of overweight and 30% of obese participants reported having received dietary therapy and 28% of orthopaedic surgeons reported to prescribe dietary therapy to overweight patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While most recommended non-surgical treatments were used frequently as single therapy, the combination is used in only a small percentage of OA patients. Especially, use of dietary therapy may be improved to help patients manage their symptoms, and potentially delay the need for joint arthroplasty.

Level of response to telematic questionnaires on Health Related Quality of Life on total knee replacement

Questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life are difficult to perform and obtain for patients and professionals. Computerised tools are now available to collect this information. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of patients undergoing total knee replacement to fill in health-related quality-of-life questionnaires using a telematic platform.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety eight consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were included. Participants were given an access code to enter the website where they had to respond to 2 questionnaires (SF8 and the reduced WOMAC), and 3 additional questions about the difficulty in completing the questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients agreed to participate: 45 males and 53 females (mean age 72.7 years). Fourteen did not agree to participate due to lack of internet access. Of the final 84 participants, 50% entered the website, and only 36 answered all questions correctly. Of the patients who answered the questionnaire, 80% were helped by a relative or friend, and 22% reported difficulty accessing internet.

CONCLUSION

The use of telematic systems to respond to health-related quality of life questionnaires should be used cautiously, especially in elderly population. It is likely that the population they are directed at is not prepared to use this type of technology. Therefore, before designing telematics questionnaires it must be ensured that they are completed properly.

Patient acceptable symptom states after totalhip or knee replacement at mid-term follow-up: Thresholds of the Oxford hip and knee scores

Objectives

To define Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds for the Oxford hip score (OHS) and Oxford knee score (OKS) at mid-term follow-up.

Methods

In a prospective multicentre cohort study, OHS and OKS were collected at a mean follow-up of three years (1.5 to 6.0), combined with a numeric rating scale (NRS) for satisfaction and an external validation question assessing the patient’s willingness to undergo surgery again. A total of 550 patients underwent total hip replacement (THR) and 367 underwent total knee replacement (TKR).

Results

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified a PASS threshold of 42 for the OHS after THR and 37 for the OKS after TKR. THR patients with an OHS ≥ 42 and TKR patients with an OKS ≥ 37 had a higher NRS for satisfaction and a greater likelihood of being willing to undergo surgery again.

Conclusions

PASS thresholds appear larger at mid-term follow-up than at six months after surgery. With- out external validation, we would advise against using these PASS thresholds as absolute thresholds in defining whether or not a patient has attained an acceptable symptom state after THR or TKR.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:7–13.