Measurement properties of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after third molar surgery: a COSMIN-based Systematic Review Protocol

Background: To critically evaluate the development and measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in patients undergoing third molar surgery, applying the methodology proposed by the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). Methods: This research protocol will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for meta-research and will be reported in accordance with the COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures (version 2.0). A comprehensive three-step search strategy will be employed to identify all relevant studies. In the first step, an initial exploratory search will be conducted across selected databases to identify sentinel studies and to inform the selection of keywords and the development of the final search strategy. The second step will consist of a systematic and comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL (via EBSCO), LIVIVO, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar (grey literature). Search terms related to “third molar,” “patient-reported outcomes,” and “validation” will be combined using Boolean operators (AND/OR). The third step will involve updating the search prior to data extraction and analysis. Data extraction will be performed independently by two blinded reviewers. Measurement properties will be evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, and the certainty of evidence will be assessed using the COSMIN-adapted GRADE approach. Meta-analysis will be conducted when appropriate. Conclusion: This systematic review will provide a comprehensive and methodologically rigorous synthesis of the available evidence on the development and measurement properties of PROMs used in individuals undergoing third molar surgery, evaluated in accordance with COSMIN standards.