Translation and Validation of the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Surgery Survey in Serbian

OTO Open. 2024 Apr 23;8(2):e129. doi: 10.1002/oto2.129. eCollection 2024 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Surgery Survey into the Serbian language to evaluate the test-retest reliability and validity.

Study design: The study included 49 consecutive patients between 12 and 18 years old with rhinologic symptoms. Patients were given a paper survey to complete along with a link to complete the online survey within the same day.

Setting: The study was conducted at the University Children's Hospital Clinic for Pulmonology and Allergology between January 2023 and March 2023.

Methods: Responses between the paper and online survey were compared and regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship. Internal reliability and test-retest reliability were assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient. All data were collected and analyzed using SPSS 29.0.

Results: Pearson correlation coefficient between the paper and online survey was very high and statistically significant (r = 0.999; P < .001). Each item had a high correlation (0.993-1.000), where the lowest correlation coefficient was obtained from question 2 (0.993). Average scores in each item differed slightly for only item 2 (mean difference = -0.041), but not to the level of statistical significance. Bland-Altman plot indicated no proportional bias between the 2 versions. Linear regression analysis suggested a high level of agreement between the 2 versions (slope = 1.00, R 2 = 0.999).

Conclusion: The survey is a useful questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in patients with rhinologic symptoms. The high correlation between the paper and online survey shows the reliability of the questionnaire regardless of administration modality.

Keywords: allergy; quality of life; rhinitis; translation; validation.