Citation

Nelson LD, Magnus BE, Temkin N, Dikmen S, Balsis S. J. Neurotrauma 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2021.0152

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A limited evidence base supports the Functional Status Examination (FSE) as superior to the more commonly used Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) for precisely characterizing injury-related functional limitations. The aim of this study was to use modern psychometric tools to test the hypothesis that the FSE is more precise than the GOSE in characterizing individual differences in functional limitations post moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Secondarily, we sought to confirm that the type of interviewee (patient, significant other) does not affect the test performance of the FSE. Using data from 357 individuals with TBI who participated in the Magnesium Sulfate clinical trial and had 6-month outcome data, we performed item response theory (IRT) analyses comparing the FSE and GOSE at 6 months post-injury.

RESULTS showed that the FSE yielded higher measurement precision (IRT test information) than the GOSE across most of the disability severity spectrum. GOSE yielded more information than the FSE at a very high level of disability, due to the GOSE's assignment of a unique score for individuals who are in a vegetative state. Finally, the FSE showed no evidence of differential item functioning by interviewee, indicating it is appropriate to interview either persons with TBI or significant others and combine data across respondents as is typically done. The findings support the FSE as a viable and oftentimes advantageous substitute for the GOSE in clinical trials and translational studies of TBI.

Language: en

Keywords

HUMAN STUDIES; OUTCOME MEASURES; ADULT BRAIN INJURY; ASSESSMENT TOOLS; CLINICAL TRIAL