The aim of the present study was to reach international consensus on the minimum set of outcomes to measure and report in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury care and research. This would facilitate comparison of outcomes from different centres and meta-analysis in research. A list of outcomes was developed from a systematic review (n?=?54) and patient interviews (n?=?12). The outcomes were rated in a three-round online Delphi survey completed by international surgeons, patients and therapists. Two online consensus meetings with patients and clinicians ratified the final core outcome set. A total of 72 people (20 surgeons, 21 patients, 31 therapists) from 19 countries completed all survey rounds. Thirty-eight people from nine countries attended separate patient (n?=?13) and clinician consensus (n?=?25) meetings. Outcomes were included if recommended by more than 85% of contributors. Pain, voluntary movement and carrying out a daily routine are the core outcome domains that should be assessed and reported when treating and researching adults with a traumatic brachial plexus injury.
ContributorsCaroline Miller, Jane Cross, Dominic M. Power, and Christina Jerosch-Herold
Disease Category: Orthopaedics & trauma
Disease Name: Traumatic brachial plexus injury
Age Range: 16 - 100
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention: Any
- Charities
- Clinical experts
- Consumers (patients)
- Families
- Patient/ support group representatives
- Researchers
- COS for clinical trials or clinical research
- COS for practice
- Consensus meeting
- Delphi process
- Interview
- Systematic review
Plan of Investigation
“What to measure”
Phase 1: Develop “long list” of outcomes
A systematic review will identify outcomes reported in the TBPI literature.
Interviews with individuals with TBPI and families will identify outcomes important to those affected by TBPI.
Outcomes identified through the literature and interviews will be combined and grouped to create a “long list”. Descriptors of outcomes will be agreed with the steering group and the patient advisory group.
Phase 2: Consensus on final COS
Health professionals, patients and academics will participate in an online 3 round Delphi to prioritise the “long list” of outcomes. A consensus meeting, including health professionals and patients will review and ratify the outcomes priorities in the Delphi and the final COS-TBPI.
Phase 3: Existing measures, which assess the domains of the COS-TBP will be identified. Studies on the psychometric properties of outcome measured will be assessed using COSMIN criteria. Any gaps in available outcome measures for any domains of the COS-TBPI will be identified.