A preliminary report on the development of a validated tool for measuring psychosocial outcomes for massive weight loss patients

Abstract

To validate the newly developed patient report outcome measure (PROM): the Post Bariatric Outcome Tool (PBOT). The tool is designed and developed for massive weight loss patients seeking body contouring procedures. The PBOT was piloted with three cohorts: massive weight loss patients seeking body contouring; massive weight loss patients who have had body contouring; and healthy, non-obese subjects as controls matched for age and gender. Each cohort completed two PROMS at week one, and then for a second time at week three. The PROMS used were the new Post Bariatric Outcome Tool (PBOT) and the Derriford Appearance Scale 24 (DAS24). The PBOT was shown to be reliable both in terms of its internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Comparison to the DAS24 demonstrated the PBOT to be valid. However, the cohorts were small and responsiveness was not tested. This needs to be tested in further larger validation studies, ideally, with comparison to functional scales such as the SF-36 or other validated massive weight loss body contouring PROMs; such as the Body Q.