Preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Computerized Adaptive Testing (PROMIS CAT) Scores Predict Achievement of Minimum Clinically Important Difference Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Anchor-Based Methodology

PURPOSE: To determine the change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Computerized Adaptive Testing (PROMIS CAT) scores for physical function, pain interference, and depression that constitute minimum clinically important difference (MCID) using an anchor-based technique and to identify pre-operative clinical thresholds in anchor-based MCID that predict likelihood of achieving MCID following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: Adult patients aged 18 years or older undergoing ACL reconstruction that completed both preoperative and postoperative PROMIS CAT assessments and an anchor-based questionnaire were identified over a 23-month period. Anchor-based MCID was determined for PROMIS CAT forms for physical function (PROMIS PF CAT), pain interference (PROMIS PI CAT), and depression (PROMIS D CAT). RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were included for statistical analysis, with pre-operative PROMIS CAT forms completed 27.9 ± 31.2 days before surgery and 492.5 ± 219.9 days postoperatively on average. Statistically significant improvements were observed for all PROMIS CAT domains. PROMIS PF CAT improved from 39.5 [Formula: see text] 8.2 to 55.0 [Formula: see text] 9.7 (P < .0005), PROMIS PI CAT from 59.8 [Formula: see text] 7.2 to 48.2 [Formula: see text] 8.3 (P < .0005), and PROMIS D CAT from 47.9 [Formula: see text] 8.8 to 41.5 [Formula: see text] 8.6 (P < .0005). Anchor-based MCID for each PROMIS CAT form was calculated to be +4.5, –5.4, and –4.1 for PROMIS PF CAT, PROMIS PI CAT, and PROMIS D CAT, respectively. Mean difference between preoperative and postoperative PROMIS CAT scores exceeded MCID for all domains. The percentage of patients achieving MCID for PROMIS PF CAT, PROMIS PI CAT, and PROMIS D CAT was 85%, 72%, and 55%, respectively. After introduction of 95% specificity cutoffs, the percentage of patients achieving MCID for PROMIS PF CAT, PROMIS PI CAT, and PROMIS D CAT increased to 100% (<35.6 cutoff score), 92% (>65.7 cutoff score), and 83% (>57.5 cutoff score), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to anchor-based analysis of PROMIS CAT MCID, ACL reconstruction is effective in improving physical function, pain interference, and depression symptoms. In addition, preoperative PROMIS CAT scores can predict the likelihood of achieving MCID postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.