Disease-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaires in Rhinitis and Rhinosinusitis: Review and Evaluation

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) measurements are the best approximation of the burden of disease for the patient. Patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL). PROMs can be generic or disease-specific. Generic PROMs allow comparisons between different diseases but can be relatively insensitive for measuring changes within a disease. Recommended QoL questionnaires in allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis are the RQLQ (or adapted versions), in chronic rhinosinusitis, the SNOT-22 or RSOM-31, and in acute rhinosinusitis, the modified SNOT-16. PROMs can be used both for daily clinical work and for research. In daily practice, a quick evaluation of the questionnaire directly indicates how the patient is doing. It makes sure that symptoms important for the patient are not overlooked and, during the consultation, the physician can elaborate on specific aspects of the symptomatology. It is important, especially in research, to realize that disease-specific questionnaires are only validated for specific diseases and are not automatically valid for other diseases.

Real-life study showing uncontrolled rhinosinusitis after sinus surgery in a tertiary referral centre

“…This is a health status measurement tool designed to be applied to all health conditions and to assess general health concepts, such as functional status and wellbeing 9. It consists of 36 items covering eight domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems and mental health.…”

Subjective Evaluation Methods in Chronic Rhinitis and Rhinosinusitis: Quality of Life Questionnaires: Review

“…Girişim ve tedavilerin maliyet etkinliğini belirleyebilir. 15 Ancak hastalığa özel küçük değişiklikler tespit edilemez. Özgül ölçekler ise klinik açıdan duyarlı, araştırılan konu ile ilgili testlerdir ve küçük değişimleri saptayabilir.…”

“…Septoplasti için geçerlilik çalışması yapılmış ancak rinosinü-zitte geçerliliği çalışılmamıştır. 15 Türkçe birçok ça-lışmada da kullanılmasına rağmen Türkçe geçerlilik çalışması yapılmamıştır.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Rhinitis Control Measures in Allergic Rhinitis

“…Specific instruments are more likely to detect clinically important impairments specific for a particular disease or HRQoL differences over time, and are better suited to evaluate the impact of interventions for specific diseases [30,31]. In patients with allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) developed by Juniper et al is the most widely used questionnaire in assessment of HRQoL.…”

“…For example, the patient can fill in the questionnaire prior to their clinical appointment. Review of this by the clinician can identify how the patient is doing and identify specific aspects that need to be explored further in the consultation [30]. Furthermore, repeated measurements can allow improvements or exacerbations to be easily identified, as well as enable assessment of response to treatment.…”