Adaptation and initial validation of the Spanish version of the chronic otitis media questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) and chronic otitis media benefit inventory (COMBI)

Abstract

Background and objectives: The chronic otitis media questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) and chronic otitis media benefit inventory (COMBI) aim to assess the quality of life related to chronic otitis media or its surgical treatment. The objective of this study was to validate the Spanish adaptation of the COMQ-12 and COMBI.

Patients and methods: Multicentre prospective instrument validation study. guidelines for the cross-cultural adaptation process were followed. The psychometric properties of the Spanish versions ("COMQ-12-Spa" for "COMQ-12-Spanish" and "COMBI-Spa" for "COMBI-Spanish") were assessed in 25 consecutive adults undergoing tympanoplasty and in a separate cohort of 25 unaffected adults.

Results: COMQ-12-Spa: test-retest reliability, r=0.98; internal consistency reliability, α=0.92. Item-subscale and item-total coefficients, ≥0.40. Between-group discrimination, p<0.0001. COMBI-Spa: internal consistency, α=0.96. A high-intensity relationship between the variables was shown, ≥0.40. Correlation between the COMBI-Spa and the Spanish Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), r=0.89; p<0.01.

Conclusion: Psychometric testing of the Spanish versions of the COMQ-12-Spa and COMBI-Spa yielded satisfactory results, thus allowing pre- and postintervention assessment of the subjective severity of chronic otitis media in adult patients.

Keywords: Chronic otitis media benefit inventory (COMBI); Chronic otitis media questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12); Cuestionario de otitis media crónica-12 (COMQ-12); Evaluación de resultado; Inventario de beneficio en otitis media crónica (COMBI); Outcome assessment; Questionnaire validation; Timpanoplastia; Tympanoplasty; Validación de cuestionario.