A core outcome set for appendicitis: A consensus approach utilizing modified Delphi methodology

Christopher A. Butts, Saskya Byerly, Jeffry Nahmias, Rondi Gelbard, Markus Ziesmann, Brandon Bruns, Giana H. Davidson, Salomone Di Saverio, Thomas J. Esposito, Katherine Fischkoff, Bellal Joseph, Haytham Kaafarani, Panu Mentula, Mauro Podda, Joseph V. Sakran, Paulina Salminen, Henna Sammalkorpi, Robert G. Sawyer, Dionne Skeete, Ronald TesorieroDaniel Dante Yeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Appendicitis is one of the most common pathologies encountered by general and acute care surgeons. The current literature is inconsistent, as it is fraught with outcome heterogeneity, especially in the area of nonoperative management. We sought to develop a core outcome set (COS) for future appendicitis studies to facilitate outcome standardization and future data pooling. METHODS A modified Delphi study was conducted after identification of content experts in the field of appendicitis using both the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) landmark appendicitis articles and consensus from the EAST ad hoc COS taskforce on appendicitis. The study incorporated three rounds. Round 1 utilized free text outcome suggestions, then in rounds 2 and 3 the suggests were scored using a Likert scale of 1 to 9 with 1 to 3 denoting a less important outcome, 4 to 6 denoting an important but noncritical outcome, and 7 to 9 denoting a critically important outcome. Core outcome status consensus was defined a priori as >70% of scores 7 to 9 and <15% of scores 1 to 3. RESULTS Seventeen panelists initially agreed to participate in the study with 16 completing the process (94%). Thirty-two unique potential outcomes were initially suggested in round 1 and 10 (31%) met consensus with one outcome meeting exclusion at the end of round 2. At completion of round 3, a total of 17 (53%) outcomes achieved COS consensus. CONCLUSION An international panel of 16 appendicitis experts achieved consensus on 17 core outcomes that should be incorporated into future appendicitis studies as a minimum set of standardized outcomes to help frame future cohort-based studies on appendicitis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic Test or Criteria; Level V.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)487-492
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Volume96
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Appendicitis
  • appendicitis outcomes
  • core outcome set
  • Delphi methodology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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