Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Adults and Adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review of Content Validity and Feasibility Using the COSMIN Methodology

*OBJECTIVE: To assess the content validity and feasibility of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess pain and function in adults and adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP). * DESIGN: Systematic review. *LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane Library from inception to January 6, 2022. *STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: We included studies that described the development or evaluation of the content validity of English-language PROMs for PFP, as well as their translations and cultural adaptations to different languages. *DATA SYNTHESIS: Using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, we determined overall ratings and quality of evidence for the relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of PROMs. We extracted data related to feasibility for clinical use (eg, administration time and scoring ease). *RESULTS: Forty-three studies for 33 PROMs were included. The overall quality of most studies was inadequate due to failure to engage stakeholders and/or ensure adherence to rigorous qualitative research procedures. Of all PROMs evaluated, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Patellofemoral subscale (KOOS-PF), was the only PROM with sufficient content validity components. Quality of evidence for content validity of the KOOS-PF was low. Most PROMs were rated feasible for clinical and research purposes. *CONCLUSION: Most PROMs used to measure pain and function in patients with PFP have inadequate content validity. The KOOS-PF had the highest overall content validity. We recommend the KOOS-PF for evaluating pain and function (in research and clinical practice) in adults and adolescents with PFP. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(1):23-39. Epub: 18 October 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11317

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to assess the content validity and feasibility of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess pain and function in adults and adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP). The overall quality of most PROMs was found to be inadequate in terms of content validity, except for the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Patellofemoral subscale (KOOS-PF). It is recommended to use the KOOS-PF for evaluating pain and function in adults and adolescents with PFP.