PROMs May Help Predict Mortality in Neurological Patients

Source: Frontiers in neurology

Summary

This study looked at whether patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can help predict the risk of death in adults with various neurological conditions, including epilepsy. Researchers reviewed many studies published between 2002 and 2024, focusing on conditions like stroke, motor neuron disease, and nervous system cancers. They found 49 studies that met their criteria, but none specifically focused on epilepsy.

The key finding was that PROMs can often predict mortality in people with neurological conditions. In about three-quarters of the studies, PROMs were linked to the risk of death, especially in conditions like nervous system cancers and motor neuron disease. The most effective tools for this were specific questionnaires, such as the EORTC QLQ for brain cancers and the SF-36 for stroke, which focused more on physical health than emotional well-being.

This research is important because it suggests that PROMs could be useful in identifying patients at higher risk of dying, which can help doctors provide better care. However, the study had limitations, such as not including epilepsy in the analysis and varying results depending on the condition and type of PROM used. Future research should explore how these measures can be effectively used in everyday medical practice.

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