The outcomes measured and reported in observational studies of incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma: A systematic review
Authors: Millward Christopher P , Islim Abdurrahman I , Armstrong Terri S , Barrington Heather , Bell Sabrina , Brodbelt Andrew R , Bulbeck Helen , Dirven Linda , Grundy Paul L , Javadpour Mohsen , Keshwara Sumirat M , Koszdin Shelli D , Marson Anthony G , McDermott Michael W , Meling Torstein R , Oliver Kathy , Plaha Puneet , Preusser Matthias , Santarius Thomas , Srikandarajah Nisaharan , Taphoorn Martin J B , Turner Carole , Watts Colin , Weller Michael , Williamson Paula R , Zadeh Gelareh , Zamanipoor Najafabadi Amir H , Jenkinson Michael D ,   EORTC BTG, ICOM, EANO, SNO, RANO-PRO, BNOS, SBNS, BIMS, TBTC, International Brain Tumour Alliance, Brainstrust, and Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Aldape Kenneth , Islim Abdurrahman I , Au Karolyn , Barnhartz-Sloan Jill , Bi Wenya Linda , Behling Felix , Brastianos Priscilla K , Brodie Chaya , Butowski Nicholas , Carlotti Carlos , Castro Ana , Cohen-Gadol Aaron , Couce Marta , Cusimano Michael D , DiMeco Francesco , Drummond Katharine , Dunn Ian F , Erker Craig , Felicella Michelle , Fountain Daniel M , Galanis Evanthia , Galldiks Norbert , Giannini Caterina , Goldbrunner Roland , Griffith Brent , Hashizume Rintaro , Oliver Hanemann C , Herold-Mende Christel , Hnenny Luke , Horbinski Craig , Huang Raymond Y , James David , Jenkinson Michael D , Jungk Christine , Jungwirth Gerhard , Kaufmann Timothy J , Krischek Boris , Kurz Sylvia , Lachance Daniel , Lafougère Christian , Lamszus Katrin , Lee Ian , Liu Jeff C , Makarenko Serge , Malta Tathiana , Mamatjan Yasin , Mansouri Alireza , Mawrin Christian , McDermott Michael , Millward Christopher P , Moliterno-Gunel Jennifer , Morokoff Andrew , Munoz David , Nassiri Farshad , Noushmehr Houtan , Ng Ho-Keung , Perry Arie , Pirouzmand Farhad , Poisson Laila M , Pollo Bianca , Ragunathan Aditya , Raleigh David , Renovanz Mirjam , Ricklefs Franz , Sahm Felix , Saladino Andrea , Santacroce Antonio , Santarius Thomas , Schittenhelm Jens , Schichor Christian , Schultz David , Schmidt Nils O , Selman Warren , Shih Helen , Sloan Andrew , Spears Julian , Snuderl Matija , Snyder James , Suppiah Suganth , Sulman Erik , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Tatagiba Marcos , Timmer Marco , Tirapelli Daniela , Tonn Joerg C , Tsang Derek , Vogelbaum Michael A , von Deimling Andreas , Walbert Tobias , Walling Simon , Wang Justin , Wen Patrick Y , Westphal Manfred , Workewych Adriana M , Yip Stephen , Zada Gabriel , Zadeh Gelareh , Zherebitskiy Viktor 
Published: March 2024

Background

The clinical management of patients with incidental intracranial meningioma varies markedly and is often based on clinician choice and observational data. Heterogeneous outcome measurement has likely hampered knowledge progress by preventing comparative analysis of similar cohorts of patients. This systematic review aimed to summarize the outcomes measured and reported in observational studies.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify published full texts describing active monitoring of adult cohorts with incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL via EBSCO, completed January 24, 2022). Reported outcomes were extracted verbatim, along with an associated definition and method of measurement if provided. Verbatim outcomes were de-duplicated and the resulting unique outcomes were grouped under standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the taxonomy proposed by the “Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials” (COMET) initiative.

Results

Thirty-three published articles and 1 ongoing study were included describing 32 unique studies: study designs were retrospective n = 27 and prospective n = 5. In total, 268 verbatim outcomes were reported, of which 77 were defined. Following de-duplication, 178 unique verbatim outcomes remained and were grouped into 53 standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the COMET taxonomy into 9 outcome domains and 3 core areas.

Conclusions

Outcome measurement across observational studies of incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma is heterogeneous. The standardized outcome terms identified will be prioritized through an eDelphi survey and consensus meeting of key stakeholders (including patients), in order to develop a Core Outcome Set for use in future observational studies.