Abstract
BACKGROUND: The BREAST-Q is the most commonly used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for breast reconstruction research. However, clinical implementation of this PROM has been impeded by a lack of context for score interpretation. The aim of this study was to define reference values for the BREAST-Q at discrete timepoints following surgery, generating a tool for real-time score interpretation. METHODS: BREAST-Q scores were prospectively obtained in women who underwent implant or autologous post-mastectomy breast reconstruction preoperatively and for 2 years following surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Descriptive statistics were used to create reference values for BREAST-Q satisfaction and quality-of-life subscales. Reference values were externally validated by comparing patient characteristics and BREAST-Q scores between the MSK and the Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium (MROC) study cohorts. RESULTS: Overall, 3268 MSK patients and 2814 MROC patients were included for analysis. When MSK and MROC cohorts were compared for validation, there were some statistical differences in BREAST-Q scores; however, most of these differences did not meet the minimal clinically important difference of 4 points. Reference values were used to create the BREAST-Q Real-time Engagement and Communication Tool (REACT). CONCLUSIONS: Using a large cohort of patients, we have defined BREAST-Q reference values for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction patients for use in clinical practice. The BREAST-Q REACT will help breast reconstruction providers gauge patient wellbeing and satisfaction relative to the "average" breast reconstruction patient and determine which patients may benefit from additional intervention.