Patient and Observer Reported Outcome Measurements in Inborn Errors of Metabolism

lnborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a heterogeneous group of rare, sometimes debilitating or even fatal diseases . In IEM, both definition and assessment of meaningful outcome parameters is often extremely difficult resulting in a limited body of evidence. Limited evidence results in weak recommendations which are perceived as unbinding and thus sustains heterogeneous study designs, choice of outcomes and interventions again producing non-uniform data. The goal of the current study is to identify and select reliable instruments, that measure patients' and their parents' perception about relevant (social, emotional, cognitive and physical) aspects in their lives. This set of instruments will secure the comparability of future research findings. Furthermore this instruments will improve the screening of paediatric IEM patients regarding their need for additional (psychosocial or consultative) support in daily hospital routine.