Evaluating construct validity of the PROMIS®-16 profile among individuals who have undergone total laryngectomy: A brief report

Objective The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®)-16 Profile, assessing eight health-related quality of life domains, was developed and evaluated in general population samples. This study evaluated construct validity of the PROMIS-16 domain and summary scores among individuals who underwent total laryngectomy. Methods We recruited 253 Individuals who underwent total laryngectomy from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, International Association of Laryngectomees, and two online laryngectomy support groups between July 2023 and March 2024, 239 of which were included in the analysis. We examined hypothesis-based construct validity of the PROMIS-16 scores with known groups validity tests and through associations with University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QoL) and EQ-5D-5L scores. Results Participants in the analytic sample were 65% male, 64% aged 65 or older, 94% White race, and 99% non-Hispanic. Over half (56%) the participants were 5 or more years post-surgery. PROMIS-16 scores ranged from 46.5 (SD=11.9; Cognitive Function) to 53.8 (SD=6.9; Social Roles). Means differed as hypothesized based on recency of surgery. The 140 associations of PROMIS-16 scores with UW-QoL and EQ-5D-5L scores varied in magnitude (range |0.01 - 0.76|), 86% conforming with hypotheses. Conclusion Construct validity of the PROMIS-16 domain and summary scores was demonstrated in individuals who underwent total laryngectomy providing support for the potential usefulness of the PROMIS-16 in clinical samples.