European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
Measurement properties of pulmonary function measurement and patient-reported outcome measures in patients with multiple rib fracture without flail segment; validation study alongside the multicenter FixCon trial
By Luttjeboer ML, Van Diepen MR, Prins JTH and 5 others.
Abstract
The reliability and validity of pulmonary function, pain and health related quality of life (HR-QoL) as outcome measures for patients with rib fractures, remain uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate measurement properties in patients with multiple rib fractures by comparing them with generic HR-QoL instruments (EuroQoL-5D-5L [EQ-5D-5L], Short Form-12 [SF-12]).
A multicenter RCT in adults (n = 180) was performed. Spirometry was performed at 30 days, 3, 6, and 12 months after trauma. Patients completed five questions on pain, EQ-5D-5L, SF-12, and two anchor questions on improvement in pulmonary function and thoracic complaints since previous measurement. Reliability, construct validity, responsiveness and floor and ceiling effects were evaluated for all follow-up time-points.