Reliability of seven computerized adaptive tests from the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS®) in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background To reduce patients’ burden of completing lengthy questionnaires, Computerized Adaptive Tests (CATs) of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) are being implemented in multiple sclerosis (MS) care. The purpose of this study is to assess the test-retest reliability of seven PROMIS CATs in people with MS which is crucial for interpretation of changes in PROMIS CAT scores. Methods This observational study was conducted in an academic hospital where the PROMIS CATs Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Physical Function, Sleep Disturbance, Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities, and Pain Interference, are routinely taken in the MS outpatient clinics. People with MS aged ≥ 18 years, who completed at least one PROMIS CAT were invited for a retest within 28 days. To assess reliability of the PROMIS CATs, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error of Measurements (SEM) and Smallest Detectable Change (SDC) were calculated. Results The final study sample consisted of 58 people with MS. Forty-six (78%) participants were younger than 55, and 39 (66%) were female. The ICC (with 95% CI) of the PROMIS CAT item bank T-scores ranged from 0.59 (0.31–0.79) (Pain Interference), 0.75 (0.60–0.85) (Anxiety), 0.78 (0.64–0.86) (Depression), 0.85 (0.75–0.91) (Fatigue), 0.86 (0.75–0.92) (Participation), 0.86 (0.77–0.92) (Sleep Disturbance) to 0.86 (0.75–0.93) (Physical Function). SEM and SDC ranged from 4.1 and 11.6 for Pain Interference to 2.3 and 6.3 for Physical Function. Conclusions Reliability of the PROMIS CATs was sufficient to good, except for Pain Interference which needs further investigation.