Evaluation of the measurement properties of premonitory urge patient-reported outcome measure: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to systematically evaluate the measurement properties of premonitory urge patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients with tic disorder using Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN) methodology and provide recommendations for clinical assessment.

Method

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, from database inception to October 9, 2022, with an additional supplementary search conducted from October 9, 2022, to January 4, 2025. After literature screening and data extraction, two independent reviewers objectively assessed the measurement properties according to COSMIN.

Results

A total of 18 studies were included, involving four PROMs: Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (PUTS), University of São Paulo's Sensory Phenomena Scale (USP-SPS), Individualized Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (I-PUTS), and the Rumination and Awareness Scale for tic-associated sensations (RASTS). Methodological quality and criteria were conducted for content validity, internal structure (structural validity, internal consistency), and remaining measurement properties (reliability, hypothesis testing for construct validity).

Conclusion

PUTS is recommended for assessing premonitory urge in tic disorder, which aligns with the “European Clinical Guidelines for Tourette Syndrome and other Tic disorder—version 2.0. Part I: assessment”. To assess premonitory urge and sensory modulation disorder, the USP-SPS is deemed appropriate, while the RASTS is suitable for evaluating premonitory urge and tic-related cognitions. However, USP-SPS and RASTS need further validation due to limited evidence, and their use should be considered based on specific clinical or research objectives.