Outcome measurement for multiple long-term conditions research across health-care settings - an overview of reviews.
| Title: | Outcome measurement for multiple long-term conditions research across health-care settings - an overview of reviews. |
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| Authors: | O'Mahoney LL; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. llom1@leicester.ac.uk.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK. llom1@leicester.ac.uk.; Peace A; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Gillies CL; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; Leicester Real World Evidence Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; Routen A; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Highton PJ; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Bedford P; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Abdala R; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Sathanapally H; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; Chudasama YV; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; Leicester Real World Evidence Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; Patel R; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Perera R; Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.; Hughes SE; Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.; Walker H; School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.; Funnell MP; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK.; Khunti K; Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Leicester, UK. |
| Source: | BMC medicine [BMC Med] 2026 Jun 19. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 19. |
| Publication Model: | Ahead of Print |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101190723 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1741-7015 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17417015 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Med Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, 2003- |
| Abstract: | Background: Multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) represent a growing global public health challenge, yet research is hindered by inconsistent outcomes across health-care settings and populations. Although several core outcome sets (COS) have been developed, important gaps remain in their coverage, inclusivity, and measurement validity. This overview of reviews summarised outcomes reported in systematic reviews of MLTC research to identify existing domains, describe how measurement instruments were addressed, and highlight areas requiring standardisation.; Methods: We conducted a prospectively registered overview of reviews (PROSPERO CRD420251005152), following PRISMA, PRIOR, and SWiM guidelines. Eligible reviews included adults or children with MLTC-defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions-and reported on outcome measures or COS relevant to this population. Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials)) were searched from inception to April 2025. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and appraised quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. A narrative synthesis mapped outcomes by domain (clinical, patient-reported, service/system, engagement/experience), care setting, and population subgroup.; Results: From 6331 records, 10 reviews met inclusion criteria, encompassing 709 primary studies. Four developed COS, and six mapped outcomes without proposing COS. Quality of life and health-care utilisation were most consistently reported; treatment burden, patient engagement, and child outcomes were infrequently assessed. Existing COS advanced standardisation but remained limited in stakeholder diversity, geographic scope, and specification of measurement instruments, with only one including low- and middle-income countries.; Conclusions: Greater inclusivity, validation, and global applicability are needed to operationalise agreed domains and improve comparability across MLTC research.; (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Ethical approval was not required for this overview of reviews as it used data from previously published studies. Consent for publication: Not applicable Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Multiple long-term conditions; core outcome sets; outcome measurement; overview of reviews; patient-reported outcomes |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260619 Latest Revision: 20260619 |
| Update Code: | 20260620 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12916-026-04970-1 |
| PMID: | 42321748 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article