Interpreting PROMIS Scoring

The source of the majority of PROMs available for you and your patients is PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). PROMIS measures were developed to be universally-relevant across patient populations and use item-response theory (IRT), in which item banks are created based on pooling all known measures of the specific health-related construct. For more information: PROMIS Scoring.

What are PROMIS Scores?

PROMIS assessments are scored on what is called a T-score metric. High scores mean more of the concept being measured. 10 points on the T-score metric is one standard deviation (SD).

PROMIS scores have a mean of 50 and standard deviation (SD) of 10 in a referent population. The referent population is usually the US General Population.

  • A score of 40 is one SD lower than the mean of the reference population.
  • A score of 60 is one SD higher than the mean of the reference population.

Interpretation

  • Scores 0.5 – 1.0 SD worse than the mean = mild symptoms/impairment
  • Scores 1.0 – 2.0 SD worse than the mean = moderate symptoms/impairment
  • Scores 2.0 SD or more worse than the mean = severe symptoms/impairment

 

This chart visualizes the T-Scores and severity ranges for most PROMIS assessments.


Some PROMIS assessments have slightly different score cut points and severity ranges.





Please continue reading to learn how to customize PROMs for your patient.

For program/site managers, please continue reading to learn how to customize PROMs for all patients in your program.

Please continue reading to learn how to send an ad-hoc or one-time PROM to your patient.