Introduction: We tested the responsiveness of the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System (PROMIS) global health short form and a linear analog self-assessment for laparoscopy.
Methods: From May 2011 through December 2013, patients undergoing laparoscopy responded to patient reported outcome questionnaires perioperatively. Composite and single item scores were compared.
Results: One hundred fifteen patients, mean age 55 years, 58 % female, were enrolled. Visual analog pain scores differed significantly from baseline (mean 1.7 ± 2.3) to postoperative day 1 (mean 4.8 ± 2.6) and 7 (mean 2.5 ± 2.1) (p<0.0001). PROMIS physical subscale and total physical component subscore differed significantly from baseline (14.4 ± 3.0/47.4 ± 8.3) to postoperative day 1 (12.7 ± 3.2/42.1 ± 8.8) (p=0.0007/0.0003), due to everyday physical activities (p=0.0001). Linear analog self-assessment scores differed from baseline for pain frequency (p<0.0001), pain severity (p<0.0001), and social activity (p=0.0052); 40 % of subjects reported worsening in PROMIS physical T-score to postoperative day 1 and 25 % to postoperative day 7. Linear analog self-assessment mental well-being scores were worse in 32 % of patients at postoperative day 7, emotional well-being in 28 %, social activity in 24 %, and fatigue in 20 % of patients.
Conclusion: Single items and change from baseline are responsive perioperative quality of life assessments for laparoscopy.