Comparison of important factors to patients recovering from pulmonary embolism and items covered in patient-reported outcome measures: A mixed-methods systematic review

Objective
Up to 50 % of patients recovering from pulmonary embolism (PE) experience negative long-term outcomes. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important in identifying what matters to patients. We aimed to identify PROMs used in clinical studies and recommended by the International Consortium of Health Outcomes (ICHOM) and compare individual items with factors considered important by patients recovering from PE.
Methods
This was a convergent mixed-methods systematic review, including quantitative studies, using PROMs and qualitative studies with non-cancer-related PE patients. Items from each PROM and qualitative findings were categorised using an International Classification of Function linking process to allow for integrated synthesis.
Results
A total of 68 studies using 34 different PROMs with 657 items and 13 qualitative studies with 408 findings were included. A total of 104 individual ICF codes were used, and subsequently sorted into 20 distinct categories representing patient concerns. Identified PROMs were found to adequately cover 17/20 categories, including anxiety, fear of bleeding, stress, depression, dizziness/nausea, sleep disturbance, pain, dyspnea, fatigue, activity levels, family and friends, socializing, outlook on life, and medical treatment. PROMs from the ICHOM core set covered the same categories, except for dizziness/nausea.
Conclusions
No single PROM covered all aspects assessed as important by the PE population. PROMs recommended in the ICHOM core set cover 16/20 aspects. However, worrisome thoughts, hypervigilance around symptoms, and uncertainty of illness were experienced by patients with PE but were not covered by PROMS.

Aim

We aimed to identify PROMs used in clinical studies and recommended by the International Consortium of Health Outcomes (ICHOM) and compare individual items with factors considered important by patients recovering from PE.

Contributors

Stian Ingemann-Molden, Christina Krogner Caspersen, Nanna Rolving, Anette Arbjerg Højen, Frederikus A. Klok, Erik L. Grove, Barbara Cristina Brocki, Jane Andreasen

Publication

Journal: Thrombosis Research
Volume: 233
Issue:
Pages: 69 - 81
Year: 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.11.013

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): This mixed-methods review is supported by the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy at Aalborg University Hospital and The Association of Danish Physiotherapists.


Health Area

Disease Category: Lungs & airways

Disease Name: pulmonary embolism

Target Population

Age Range: Unknown

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention:

Stakeholders Involved

Study Type

- Systematic review of outcome measures/measurement instruments

Method(s)

- Systematic review

A systematic search using a three-step search strategy, was performed. An initial search was performed in PubMed to identify relevant text words and subject headings. Based on the identified keywords: ‘pulmonary embolism’, ‘patient-reported outcome measures’ or ‘qualitative interviews’ a search strategy was developed in collaboration with a research librarian, and performed in PubMed, Cinahl, Embase, PEDRO, Cochrane and PsychInfo.
All databases were searched from inception to final search date, and the search was re-run prior to final analysis.

Linked Studies

    No related studies


Related Links

    No related links