Performance of Pediatric PROMIS CATs in Children With Upper Extremity Fractures

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to quantify the performance of the pediatric Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) when delivered as part of routine care to children with upper extremity (UE) fractures. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 964 new pediatric patients presenting with an UE fracture. All patients completed PROMIS computer adaptive tests for pain interference, peer relationships, UE function, and mobility domains at clinic registration. PROMIS was completed by parent-proxy (n = 418) for 5- to 7-year-olds and self-reported by 8- to 10-year-olds (n = 546). PROMIS score distributions were defined, and Pearson correlations assessed the interrelation between PROMIS domains. Student’s t tests compared mean PROMIS scores between parent-proxy and self-completion groups. Results: UE scores indicated the greatest average impairment of all PROMIS domains. However, 13% of patients reached the UE score ceiling indicating maximal UE function. UE scores and mobility scores had a strong positive correlation while UE scores had a moderate negative correlation with pain interference. In all patients, peer relationships were, at most, very weakly correlated with any other PROMIS domain. After grouping by fracture type, parent-proxy completion estimated worse UE function, more pain interference, and worse peer relationship. Conclusions: Pediatric PROMIS UE function scores capture impairment from UE fractures but do have a strong positive correlation with pediatric PROMIS Mobility, which assesses lower extremity function. Among children with UE fractures, parent-proxy completion of pediatric PROMIS appears associated with worse scores on most PROMIS domains.