The Portuguese version of the RhinoQOL Questionnaire: validation and clinical application

Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps: Quality of Life in the Biologics Era

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects up to 12% of the general population and is traditionally divided into two main phenotypic subsets, based on the presence of nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or their absence. It is well-established that many patients with CRSwNP report poor quality of life (QoL), which is further compromised by comorbidities (eg, asthma, bronchiectasis, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease). Chronic rhinosinusitis CRS with nasal polyps is managed with a combination of medical therapy and surgical interventions, and biologics are emerging as a promising new treatment option for patients with inadequate response to the standard of care. A range of patient-reported outcome measures have been used to assess QoL for patients with CRSwNP in clinical trials, including disease-specific questionnaires (eg, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22) and generic ones (eg, Short Form-36). Significantly impaired QoL has been identified as a criterion for the indication to use biologics in patients with CRSwNP. This review summarizes clinical evidence (2010-2021) on QoL outcomes with currently available treatments for CRSwNP and assesses the improvement in QoL after biologic treatments, especially for patients with comorbidities reported in interventional studies (randomized controlled trials and real-world experience).

Systemic Immune Profile in Patients With CRSwNP

The immune pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains obscure. Our aim was to compare humoral immunity and white blood cell counts in patients with CRSwNP and controls. A prospective case-control study was carried out in 37 patients with CRSwNP and 34 controls without CRS. Clinical data were gathered through a systematic interview. Computed tomography scan, skin prick test, spirometry, and immunological parameters (leukocyte differential count, immunoglobulin classes, and immunoglobulin [Ig] G subclasses) in serum specimens were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.23. The prevalence of chronic lower respiratory diseases was greater in the CRSwNP group (P < .001), but atopic disease had no significant difference. A significantly higher eosinophil (P < .001) and basophil relative count (P = .022) and a lower relative neutrophil count (P = .013) were found among CRSwNP group. Patients with CRSwNP had higher IgG1 (P = .022), but lower IgG2 (P = .014) and IgG3 (P = .018) serum levels compared to controls; IgG4, total IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE serum levels did not differ between groups, as well as the prevalence of immunoglobulin classes or IgG subclasses deficiency. The variation observed in peripheral relative leukocyte count and the systemic IgG1 subclass shift are similar to what is known to happen in nasal polyp tissue. A unique systemic immune profile seems to be present in patients with CRSwNP.

Attention to oropharingeal dysfunction in home care: speech therapy management. Appearance and content validation study of a guidance manual

ABSTRACT Purpose: to validate as to appearance and content, the "guidance manual for adult patients with dysphagia in home care speech therapy". Methods: a qualitative and quantitative study, divided into three stages; first, the pilot material was constructed; second, 8 expert judges, with a master or doctorate degree, were chosen to assess the manual through a questionnaire; and third, 8 caregiver judges of home care patients were chosen to represent the study population. Results: Pearson's linear correlation was used in the analysis of the judges' answers, considering the responses with a correlation greater than 0,6 which is a parameter that indicates a strong linear correlation. Conclusion: the results found, after the judges' evaluation, showed a strong correlation between the questions regarding the content of the manual and suggesting appearance and content validity.

Moroccan adaptation and validation of the rhinosinusitis quality-of-life survey

The aim of this study was to validate the Moroccan translation and sociocultural adaptation of the RhinoQOL questionnaire. The questionnaires were translated into Moroccan and then translated back into English. The final version was administered twice to an asymptomatic control population (n = 50) and once to a patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) (n = 99). Both of the groups answered the questionnaire before and one year after surgery. The psychometric properties, reliability, validity with correlation to other clinical instruments and responsiveness to treatment, were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The test-retest reliability was excellent [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.9], indicating a good reliability when administering the instrument on repeated occasions. The internal consistency was 0.80, 0.75 and 0.94 for the scores of the RhinoQOL sub-scales (frequency, bothersomeness, and impact, respectively). Firstly, our questionnaire was able to detect differences between patients with CRS and group of healthy volunteers (p < 0.0001) and secondly, it improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.0001), indicating a good responsiveness. A good correlation was found between the Moroccan version, the preoperative objective scores, and SNOT-22 and RSDI scores. The Moroccan RhinoQOL questionnaire appears to be culturally appropriate and psychometrically valid.