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Comparing PROMIS computer-adaptive tests to the Brief Symptom Inventory in patients with prostate cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed whether the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computer-adaptive tests (CATs) provided results similar to those of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) with a low patient burden.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of 136 prostate cancer patients who completed the 53-item BSI and the PROMIS CATs assessing depression, anxiety, and hostility.

Results

The PROMIS CATs and BSI correlated significantly in measures of depression (.85), anxiety (.76), and anger/hostility (.66; p < .001 for all). Using our BSI cutoff points for depression, anxiety, and anger/hostility, ROC analysis yielded areas under the curve of .966 [standard error (SE) = .014, p < .001], .975 (SE = .012, p < .001), and .952 (SE = .027, p < .001), respectively.

Conclusions

PROMIS CATs were highly correlated with the BSI subscales, indicating that the CATs performed well compared with the BSI, a widely used psychosocial measure.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

PRO:

Patient-reported outcome

CAT:

Computer-adaptive test

QOL:

Quality of life

NIH:

National Institutes of Health

PROMIS:

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System

BSI:

Brief Symptom Inventory

ROC:

Receiver operating characteristic curve

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported in part by the Patient-Reported Outcomes, Survey, and Population Research (PROSPR) Shared Resource; the Cancer Center Support Grant CA16672, given to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center by the National Institutes of Health; and 5R21CA126854-02, given to Cindy L. Carmack by the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301439, Unit 1330, Houston, TX, 77230-1439, USA

    George Baum, Karen Basen-Engquist, Maria C. Swartz, Patricia A. Parker & Cindy L. Carmack

  2. The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, P.O. Box 20186, Houston, TX, 77025, USA

    Maria C. Swartz

Authors
  1. George Baum
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  2. Karen Basen-Engquist
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  3. Maria C. Swartz
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  4. Patricia A. Parker
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  5. Cindy L. Carmack
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Correspondence to Cindy L. Carmack.

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Baum, G., Basen-Engquist, K., Swartz, M.C. et al. Comparing PROMIS computer-adaptive tests to the Brief Symptom Inventory in patients with prostate cancer. Qual Life Res 23, 2031–2035 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0647-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0647-2

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