The PROMIS CAT Demonstrates Responsiveness in Patients After ACL Reconstruction Across Numerous Health Domains

BACKGROUND: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has emerged as a dynamic, efficient, and validated patient-reported outcome measure in the field of orthopaedics. However, the responsiveness, which is defined as the ability to detect changes in scores over time, of PROMIS computer adaptive tests (CATs) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been well documented. PURPOSE: To investigate the responsiveness up to 1 year postoperatively of multiple PROMIS CAT domains in patients undergoing ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All patients who underwent ACLR by 1 of 2 fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons, with preoperative and at least 6 months postoperative visits, were included in this study. PROMIS CAT physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and depression (D) scores from each visit were collected and analyzed. Preoperative patient-centric factors, including demographic factors and meniscal pathology, were analyzed for associations with improvements in PROMIS scores. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (62 male patients and 38 female patients; mean age, 27.6 ± 11.8 years) with an average follow-up of 338.5 ± 137.5 days were included in this study. Preoperative PF, PI, and D scores improved significantly from 38.5 ± 7.3, 60.3 ± 7.0, and 47.9 ± 9.1, respectively, to 53.6 ± 10.3, 48.1 ± 8.5, and 41.0 ± 9.9, respectively (P < .001 for each domain). Lower preoperative PF scores, PI scores, and a lower body mass index (BMI) were predictive for greater improvements in PF. Higher preoperative PI scores and a lower BMI were predictors for greater improvements in PI. Meniscal pathology was not predictive of improvement in PROMIS scores. CONCLUSION: PROMIS CAT assessments of PF, PI, and D demonstrated responsiveness in patients undergoing ACLR up to 1 year. Worse preoperative PROMIS scores and a lower BMI were predictive of greater improvements in PROMIS scores.