Objectives: Globus pharyngeus (GP) is described as the subjective sensation of having a "lump" in the throat in the absence of correlating physical findings or dysphagia. Historically, despite the frequency of patient complaints, GP has been difficult to quantify with current outcome measures. This is in large part due to lack of a user-friendly, modernized, objective patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of symptom severity. The aim of this study is to develop a modernized, practical, validated PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity.
Methods: The Laryngopharyngeal Measure of Perceived Sensation (LUMP questionnaire) was created in three phases: 1) item generation by an expert panel involving two laryngologists and two speech language pathologists developed from common patient-reported GP symptoms, with patient confirmation; 2) line-item reduction based on internal consistency and reliability; 3) and instrument validity, which was assessed by administering the questionnaire to patients complaining of GP as well as patients without GP.
Results: A 19-item questionnaire was developed from an expert panel, which was then administered to 110 patients, 100 of whom met inclusion criteria. After statistical analysis, less internally consistent or relevant questions were removed, leaving eight items with an internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) of 0.892. When administered to 54 patients with GP versus 31 normal patients, the mean score was found to be higher in those with GP versus normal patients (P value <0.0001).
Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest the eight-item LUMP questionnaire is a valuable PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity.
Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 2019.
Keywords: Globus sensation; globus pharyngeus; patient-reported outcome measure; questionnaire; throat.
© 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.