Patient-reported outcome measures: a key to patient-tailored and outcome-driven care in pulmonary embolism survivors

Abstract

Almost half of the acute pulmonary embolism (PE) survivors suffer from long-term sequelae that limit quality of life and their reintegration in society. The post-PE syndrome involves a spectrum of complications ranging from life-threatening pulmonary hypertension to deconditioning and psychosocial issues. The follow-up of acute PE has been demonstrated to be rife with challenges including long diagnostic delays, inefficient use of healthcare resources and the ignorance of psychosocial complications such as depression and anxiety. The best way to monitor recovery of PE comprehensively and reproducibly is the application of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including quality of life assessment. PROMs help to identify and guide diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions as well as to monitor the impact of the latter. In our view, therefore, PROMs should be integrated as a fundamental part of routine PE follow-up.