The Fatigue Severity Scale in Interstitial Lung Disease: An Energizing Endpoint

Wong and Johannson discuss the study by Aronson et al which sought to determine the reliability and validity of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) using the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Patient Registry, a large longitudinal cohort of patients across 42 PFF centers in the US. Aronson et al demonstrate that the FSS is a reliable and valid PROM in ILD and is an important step forward in patient-oriented research. For future implementation in trials and clinical research, it needs further study and external validation. In the interim, PROMs specifically developed and validated in ILD such as the King's Brief ILD and Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis questionnaires should be included as key endpoints in all interventional studies. As the use of PROMs increases over time, they must be rigorously tested and validated to deepen our understanding of performance characteristics and to inform utility. Patient-centered care is part of the foundation to improving healthcare quality, with PROMs being an integral component to increase patient engagement and maximize the relevance and value of research.