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. 2022 Jan 28;10(2):253.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare10020253.

Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life (NPQ): Development and Validation of the First Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Ilaria Baiardini  1   2 , Giovanni Paoletti  1   2 , Alessia Mariani  2 , Luca Malvezzi  3 , Francesca Pirola  3 , Giuseppe Spriano  2   3 , Giuseppe Mercante  2   3 , Francesca Puggioni  1   2 , Francesca Racca  1 , Giulio Melone  2 , Giacomo Malipiero  1 , Sebastian Ferri  1   2 , Giorgio Walter Canonica  1   2 , Enrico Heffler  1   2
Affiliations

Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life (NPQ): Development and Validation of the First Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Ilaria Baiardini et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

To date, no disease-specific tool has been available to assess the impact of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire specifically designed to this aim: the Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life (NPQ) questionnaire. As indicated in the current guidelines, the development and validation of the NPQ occurred in two separate steps involving different groups of patients. The questionnaire was validated by assessing internal structure, consistency, and validity. Responsiveness and sensitivity to changes were also evaluated. In the development process of NPQ an initial list of 40 items was given to 60 patients with CRSwNP; the 27 most significant items were selected and converted into questions. The validation procedure involved 107 patients (mean age 52.9 ± 12.4). NPQ revealed a five-dimensional structure and high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.95). Convergent validity (Spearman' coefficient r = 0.75; p < 0.01), discriminant validity (sensitivity to VAS score), and reliability in a sample of patients with a stable health status (Interclass Coefficient 0.882) were satisfactory. Responsiveness to clinical changes was accomplished. The minimal important difference was 7. NPQ is the first questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in CRSwNP. Our results demonstrate that the new tool is valid, reliable, and sensitive to individual changes.

Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis; nasal polyps; patient reported outcomes; quality of life; validation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ilaria Baiardini received personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi, GSK, Novartis, Mundifama, Menarini outside the submitted work. Giovanni Paoletti reports personal fees from Novartis and Lusofarma, outside the submitted work. Luca Malvezzi received grants and personal fees from: Sanofi; Novartis; Astrazeneca outside the submitted work. Francesca Puggioni received Personal fees from Astrazeneca, Sanofi, GSK, Menarini, Chiesi, Mundipharma, Valeas, Alk Abello, Allergy Therapeutics, Behringer, Grifols outside the submitted work. Giacomo Malipiero reports personal fees from Allergy Therapeutics, outside the submitted work. Giorgio Walter Canonica reports grants and personal fees from Menarini, Alk Abello’, Anallergo Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Circassia, Genentech, Guidotti Malesci, GSK, Hal Allergy, Meda, Merck, Merck Sharp and Dome Novartis Recordati-InnuvaPharma, Roche, Sanof Stallergenes, UCB Pharma, Uriach Pharma, Teva Astrazeneca, Thermo Fisher, Valeas, Vibor Pharma, outside the submitted work. Enrico Heffler received grants and personal fees from: AstraZeneca; Sanofi; Novartis; GSK; Circassia; Nestlè, Purina, outside the submitted work. Alessia Mariani, Francesca Racca, Francesca Pirola, Giuseppe Spriano, Giuseppe Mercante, Giulio Melone, Sebastian Ferri do not have any potential conficts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life (NPQ) questionnaire total score mean values according to age, smoking habits, asthma, atopy and acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) sensitivity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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