Evaluating quality of life in patients with asthma and rhinitis: English adaptation of the rhinasthma questionnaire

Abstract

Background: Separate health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments exist for asthma and rhinitis. The Rhinasthma questionnaire, originally developed in Italian, is a unique measure designed for use where both conditions coexist.

Objective: We sought to assess the performance and validity of a new adaptation of the Rhinasthma questionnaire for use in English-speaking populations.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from an ongoing study of adults with asthma and rhinitis (n = 450), asthma alone (n = 75), or rhinitis alone (n = 20). Subjects were administered an English translation of the original 30-item Rhinasthma questionnaire. Health status measures simultaneously assessed include the Short Form (SF)-12, EuroQol (EQ)-5D, and Marks Asthma Quality-of-Life.

Results: Variable cluster analysis of the original 30-item instrument identified 5 discrete item clusters corresponding to the following domains: nasal (5 items), eye (4 items), respiratory (5 items), activity restriction (9 items), and treatment burden (5 items). Two other items were removed because of poor item-cluster correlations. Subjects with concomitant asthma and rhinitis had greater HRQL impairment, as measured by the Rhinasthma, than subjects with either asthma or rhinitis alone. The Rhinasthma correlated significantly (P < .05) with the SF-12, EQ-5D, and Marks Asthma Quality-of-Life in the anticipated direction consistent with the underlying constructs. In multiple logistic regression, poorer Rhinasthma HRQL was associated with significantly (P < .05) increased odds of both asthma- and rhinitis-related disability even after taking into account physical health status as measured by the SF-12.

Conclusion: The 28-item English adaptation of Rhinasthma performs well in assessing HRQL in patients with asthma, rhinitis, or both conditions combined.