Patient-reported outcome measures for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: a systematic review

PurposeTo conduct a systematic review of the quality of existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) applying the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, and to derive recommendations for their use in future research.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science. Studies reporting on the development and/or validation of any PROMs for uncomplicated UTIs in women were considered eligible. We evaluated the methodological quality of each included study using the COSMIN Risk of Bias Checklist, and further applied predefined criteria for good measurement properties. Finally, we graded the evidence and derived recommendations for the use of the included PROMs.ResultsData from 23 studies reporting on six PROMs were included. From those, the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) and the Urinary Tract Infection-Symptom and Impairment Questionnaire (UTI-SIQ-8) can be recommended for further use. Both instruments showed sufficient content validity. We further found high-quality evidence for sufficient internal consistency of the UTI-SIQ-8, while this criterion was not assessed for the ACSS due to a formative measurement model. All other PROMs have the potential to be recommended for use, but require further validation.ConclusionThe ACSS and the UTI-SIQ-8 have the potential to be recommended for use in women with uncomplicated UTIs in future clinical trials. For all included PROMs, further validation studies are indicated.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO.

Automated summary

This study conducted a systematic review of the quality of existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) using the COSMIN methodology, and provided recommendations for future research. The Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) and the Urinary Tract Infection-Symptom and Impairment Questionnaire (UTI-SIQ-8) were found to be suitable for further use, while other PROMs require further validation.