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Psychometric validation of the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test: a brief patient-completed instrument for evaluating rhinitis symptom control

2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 104; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.anai.2009.11.063

1534-4436

Michael Schätz, Eli O. Meltzer, Robert A. Nathan, M. Jennifer Derebery, Matthew L. Mintz, Richard H. Stanford, Anand A. Dalal, M SILVEY, Mark Kosinski,

Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Background Allergic rhinitis is common, but a validated tool for comprehensive assessment of disease control is not available. Objective To develop a simple patient-completed instrument (the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test [RCAT]) to help detect problems with control of rhinitis symptoms. Methods During a visit to an allergy specialist, 410 patients with allergic rhinitis completed a Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) assessment and the 26-item developmental RCAT. Physicians also completed a global assessment of rhinitis symptom control for each patient. Results Stepwise regression methods identified 6 items from the developmental RCAT (frequency of nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes; sleep interference; activity avoidance; and self-assessed control) that were most predictive of the allergist's global rating of rhinitis symptom control. A summated rating scale from these 6 items showed good convergent validity (r > 0.70) with scale scores from the TNSS. The discriminant validity of the 6-item scale was demonstrated as mean RCAT scale scores differed significantly across groups of patients differing in physician-rated disease severity (F = 54.4), TNSS severity (F = 193.8), and physician-recommended change in therapy (F = 50.6) (P < .001 for all). Conclusions The RCAT, a 6-item patient-completed instrument, has satisfactory psychometric properties and seems to be a valid tool for assessing control of allergic rhinitis. Further validation studies will provide confirmation. Allergic rhinitis is common, but a validated tool for comprehensive assessment of disease control is not available. To develop a simple patient-completed instrument (the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test [RCAT]) to help detect problems with control of rhinitis symptoms. During a visit to an allergy specialist, 410 patients with allergic rhinitis completed a Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) assessment and the 26-item developmental RCAT. Physicians also completed a global assessment of rhinitis symptom control for each patient. Stepwise regression methods identified 6 items from the developmental RCAT (frequency of nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes; sleep interference; activity avoidance; and self-assessed control) that were most predictive of the allergist's global rating of rhinitis symptom control. A summated rating scale from these 6 items showed good convergent validity (r > 0.70) with scale scores from the TNSS. The discriminant validity of the 6-item scale was demonstrated as mean RCAT scale scores differed significantly across groups of patients differing in physician-rated disease severity (F = 54.4), TNSS severity (F = 193.8), and physician-recommended change in therapy (F = 50.6) (P < .001 for all). The RCAT, a 6-item patient-completed instrument, has satisfactory psychometric properties and seems to be a valid tool for assessing control of allergic rhinitis. Further validation studies will provide confirmation.