Cross-validation of short forms of the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R)

Abstract Background The Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R) is a 24-item assessment designed to assist in the prediction of aberrant drug-related behavior (ADB) among patients with chronic pain. Recent work has created shorter versions of the SOAPP-R, including a static 12-item short form and two computer-based methods (curtailment and stochastic curtailment) that monitor assessments in progress. The purpose of this study was to cross-validate these shorter versions in two new populations. Methods This retrospective study used data from patients recruited from a hospital-based pain center ( n  = 84) and pain patients followed and treated at primary care centers ( n  = 110). Subjects had been administered the SOAPP-R and assessed for ADB. In real-data simulation, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of each form were calculated, as was the mean test length using curtailment and stochastic curtailment. Results Curtailment reduced the number of items administered by 30% to 34% while maintaining sensitivity and specificity identical to those of the full-length SOAPP-R. Stochastic curtailment reduced the number of items administered by 45% to 63% while maintaining sensitivity and specificity within 0.03 of those of the full-length SOAPP-R. The AUC of the 12-item form was equal to that of the 24-item form in both populations. Conclusions Curtailment, stochastic curtailment, and the 12-item short form have potential to enhance the efficiency of the SOAPP-R.