Lessons Learned from Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Databases for Orthopaedic Trauma Patients: A Rapid Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become increasingly important in orthopaedic surgery as a means to evaluate treatment effectiveness and track patient recovery. Databases that focus on the orthopaedic trauma population and collect PROMs are needed to improve research on patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify large databases currently collecting PROMs in the orthopaedic trauma population. METHODS: . DATA SOURCES: In collaboration with a research librarian, a rapid scoping review search strategy was developed and searched in PubMed to identify relevant manuscripts published from database inception through February 2026. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they evaluated orthopaedic trauma populations and reported PROMs collected within a large, multicenter database or registry. Single-center and single-study datasets were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Title/abstract screening and full-text review, as well as data extraction, were conducted independently by 2 reviewers using Covidence, at each stage. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion and consensus with the research team. DATA SYNTHESIS: Extracted data included study and registry characteristics, types of PROMs used, and timing of PROM collection. Findings were summarized using a narrative synthesis approach, with descriptive statistics used to characterize the data. RESULTS: A total of 360 studies were retrieved from PubMed, with 38 proceeding to full-text review and 24 to data extraction. Most studies (87.5%) used the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry, with additional studies using the Swedish Fracture Register and the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register. The most commonly reported PROM was EQ-5D-3L (70.8%), with Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, SF-12, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Few large databases seem to be collecting PROMs, and those contributing to research on patient outcomes are based in Australia, Sweden, and Norway. The development of a large, dedicated orthopaedic trauma database in the United States that systematically collects validated PROMs would substantially expand opportunities for patient-centered outcomes research in this region. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.