Analysis of outcome reporting in lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy studies: A systematic review of the literature

Purpose: As a first step towards developing a core outcome set (COS) for lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy, the goal of the current study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to identify outcome measures that have been previously reported in studies on lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature from 2000-2024 was performed utilizing PubMed and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Identified articles were screened according to study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Outcome measures reported in each included study were recorded and categorized into motor, sensory, pain, patient-reported outcomes, psychological, electrodiagnostic outcomes, imaging outcomes, and other outcomes. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results: A total of 80 articles were initially identified, and 10 articles met criteria for inclusion and underwent analysis. The most common outcome domain was patient-reported outcomes, which were reported in 7 (70%) studies. However, the specific patient-reported outcomes were very heterogeneous. A pain outcome was reported in 6 (60%) studies. Motor, psychological, imaging, and electrodiagnostic outcomes were not reported in any study. Across the included studies, 14 unique outcomes were reported.

Conclusions: We have identified the outcome measures that have previously been utilized in studies on lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy. Patient-reported and pain outcomes were most commonly used across the included studies.