A scoping review on the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for care of people with cardiovascular disease in African countries

Precious W Akanyirige, Cheryl Mensah, Kai Holder, Molly Beestrum, Pilly Chillo, Jackson Mlay, Sylvia Kaaya, Claudia Hawkins, Lisa R Hirschhorn

Abstract

Introduction: Poor healthcare outcomes from cardiovascular disease (CVD) have prompted a shift towards measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to improve quality of care. We conducted a scoping review of the current use of PRO measures (PROMs) in the care of people with CVD in African countries.
Methods: This study included studies that reported the use of at least one PROMin participants with CVD. The study took place in at least one African country.
Results: The 25 included studies originating from13 countries were primarily observational (n = 23), and most commonly studied adults with congestive heart failure (n = 17). The most common PROM was quality of life (QOL) (n = 17). Overall QOL was poor; lower QOL was associated with various clinical and patient factors.
Conclusion: Further work is needed to expand the availability of adapted PROMs and to explore effective implementation strategies to better integrate their use into clinical practice.