• Ib Jammer, Nadine Wickboldt, Michael Sander, Andrew Smith, Marcus J Schultz, Paolo Pelosi, Brigitte Leva, Andrew Rhodes, Andreas Hoeft, Bernhard Walder, Michelle S Chew, Rupert M Pearse, European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), European Society of Anaesthesiology, and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.
• From the Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway (IJ), Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway (IJ), Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (NW, BW), Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Charite, Berlin, Germany (MS), Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK (AS), Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (MJS), Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, IRCCS San Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy (PP), European Society of Anaesthesiology, Brussels, Belgium (BL), Critical Care, St George's Hospital, London, UK (AR), Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (AH), Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Hallands Sjukhus Halmstad, Halmstad, Sweden (MSC), Institute of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden (MSC) and Queen Mary University of London, London, UK (RMP).
• Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2015 Feb 1; 32 (2): 8810588-105.

AbstractThere is a need for large trials that test the clinical effectiveness of interventions in the field of perioperative medicine. Clinical outcome measures used in such trials must be robust, clearly defined and patient-relevant. Our objective was to develop standards for the use of clinical outcome measures to strengthen the methodological quality of perioperative medicine research. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and opinion leaders worldwide were invited to nominate papers that they believed the group should consider. The full texts of relevant articles were reviewed by the taskforce members and then discussed to reach a consensus on the required standards. The report was then circulated to opinion leaders for comment and review. This report describes definitions for 22 individual adverse events with a system of severity grading for each. In addition, four composite outcome measures were identified, which were designed to evaluate postoperative outcomes. The group also agreed on standards for four outcome measures for the evaluation of healthcare resource use and quality of life. Guidance for use of these outcome measures is provided, with particular emphasis on appropriate duration of follow-up. This report provides clearly defined and patient-relevant outcome measures for large clinical trials in perioperative medicine. These outcome measures may also be of use in clinical audit. This report is intended to complement and not replace other related work to improve assessment of clinical outcomes following specific surgical procedures.

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