Psychometric properties of self-reported measures of health-related quality of life in people living with HIV: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To identify and assess the psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people living with HIV (PLWH). METHODS: Nine databases were searched from January 1996 to October 2020. Methodological quality was assessed by using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias Checklist. We used the COSMIN criteria to summarize and rate the psychometric properties of each PROM. A modified Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies reported on the psychometric properties of 30 identified instruments. All studies were considered to have adequate methodological quality in terms of content validity, construct validity, and internal consistency. Limited information was retrieved on cross-cultural validity, criterion validity, reliability, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness. High-quality evidence on psychometric properties was provided for the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV), the brief version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument in HIV Infection (WHOQoL-HIV-BREF), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons with HIV/AIDS (MQoL-HIV), and WHOQoL-HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the included studies highlighted that among HIV-specific and generic HRQoL PROMs, MOS-HIV, WHOQoL-HIV-BREF, SF-36, MQoL-HIV, and WHOQoL-HIV are strongly recommended to evaluate HRQoL in PLWH in research and clinics based on the specific aims of assessments and the response burden for participants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12955-021-01910-w.