What is the correlation between patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores and patient satisfaction following elective reverse total shoulder replacement?

Background Outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have typically been assessed using the same instruments as anatomical shoulder arthroplasties. However, to date, there has been a lack of investigation with respect to the correlation of such scores and patient satisfaction in the RTSA population. Methods The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QD) score were prospectively collected in 38 RTSA patients (41 shoulders) postoperatively. Scores were then evaluated to establish whether or not they correlated with patient satisfaction at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Results The correlation coefficient for the OSS and patient satisfaction was found to be 0.313 ( p = 0.011) and the correlation coefficient for the QD score and patient satisfaction was −0.292 ( p = 0.017), showing a statistically significant but moderately weak relationship between the OSS and QD scores with patient satisfaction ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The present study showed no strongly significant relationship between patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores and patient satisfaction following elective RTSA. These findings emphasise the need to question the appropriateness of standard PROM scores for the assessment of outcome and success following elective RTSA.