Minimal Clinically Important Difference and Patient-Acceptable Symptom State in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery: A Review.

JBJS Rev · Apr 01 2023 · Review

Adindu EK, Singh D, Geck M, Stokes J, Truumees E

Ascension Texas Spine and Scoliosis, Austin, Texas

Spine

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONMCID varies widely with baseline pain and function and is easier to reach than PASS, which is more stable and more patient-relevant, so spine PROMs are best interpreted using both together.
Abstract, as published

»: Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) are both metrics at interpreting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

»: MCID values tend to vary significantly depending on the baseline pain and function in both acute and chronic symptom states while PASS thresholds are more stable.

»: MCID values are more easily attainable than PASS thresholds.

»: Although PASS is more relevant to the patient, it should continue to be used in tandem with MCID when interpreting PROM data.

Read the article: PubMed · Publisher (DOI)

Featured in the 2026-11-04 issue.

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