Outcome Measurement Instruments and Evidence-based Recommendations for Measurement of the Pelvic Girdle Pain Core Outcome Set (PGP-COS): A Systematic Review and Consensus Process

This study provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the instruments to measure the five Pelvic Girdle Pain Core Outcome Set (PGP-COS): pain frequency, pain intensity/severity, function/disability/activity limitation, health-related quality of life and fear avoidance. Studies evaluating measurement properties of instruments measuring any PGP-COS outcome in women with PGP were identified through a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PEDro databases (inception-July 2021). The methodological quality of studies and quality of measurement properties were evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Quality criteria and the synthesized evidence were graded using the modified grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach. A consensus meeting with PGP stakeholders was then held to establish recommendations, based on the evidence, for the instruments that should be used to measure the PGP-COS. Ten instruments were identified from 17 studies. No instrument showed high quality evidence for all measurement properties and/or measured all PGP-COS outcomes. Based on current evidence and consensus, the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), the Short Form-8 (SF-8) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) are recommended for measuring the PGP-COS. Future research should establish additional measurement properties of instruments and to substantiate these recommendations.

Aim

The aim of this phase, which we report here, was 1) to identify measurement properties
of instruments that are used to measure the outcomes in the PGP-COS through a systematic review of the literature; and 2) to reach consensus and provide evidence-based recommendations on what measurement instruments should be used to measure the outcomes of the PGP-COS.

Contributors

Alexandria Remus, Alexandra F DeJong Lempke, Francesca Wuytack, Valerie Smith

Publication

Journal: The Journal of Pain
Volume: 23
Issue: 12
Pages: 2052 - 2069
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.08.003

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): We have received funding from the Belgian Chiropractic Union Research Fund (www.chiropraxie.org) and from the European Centre for Chiropractic Research Excellence (nikkb.dk/eccre


Health Area

Disease Category: Other

Disease Name: Pelvic Girdle Pain

Target Population

Age Range: Unknown

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention:

Stakeholders Involved

Study Type

- Recommendations for outcome measures (measurement/how)

Method(s)

- Systematic review

The COSMIN database was initially searched to identify any relevant existing reviews, followed by a systematic search of the databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE and PEDRO on July 30, 2019 and updated on July 24, 2021. All databases were searched from inception date to the search dates.