Validation of the rhinitis outcomes questionnaire (ROQ)

Background: Currently, there is no easy-to-use and comprehensive questionnaire that measures the effectiveness of treatment of rhinitis-related symptoms in a private practice setting. Objective: To validate a brief, effective, self-administered rhinitis symptoms questionnaire that can easily be used in a private practice setting for tracking treatment outcomes. Methods: One hundred seventy-five patients were randomly chosen from three private practices nationwide and were surveyed regarding systemic problems, nasal, eye, and chest symptoms, as well as medical treatment obtained. This survey was administered twice in one sitting with the first administration a recall of symptoms before immunotherapy, and the second administration an evaluation of current symptoms. Appropriate statistical methods were used to evaluate the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the questionnaire presented. The validation of this instrument included content, statistical, construct, and predictive validity. Results: Both the content and statistical validity were very good in that the questionnaire was easily understood and covered required domains. Construct validity revealed that the items were sensibly related to the domains that contained them and had less association with items from different domains. The reliability of the scales was very good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80) to outstanding (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). Conclusions: Functionality was established for the rhinitis outcomes questionnaire (ROQ) for use in a private practice setting. This allows private practice allergists to collect reliable data with the ROQ.