Author(s)
Abdullah Zeatoun, MD
Meredith Lamb, BS
Taylor Stack, BS
Sulgi Kim, BS
Brent Senior, MD
Adam Kimple, MD, PhD
Affiliation(s)
University of North Carolina;
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to know what specific components of the Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) are above the recommended readability level. In addition, with simple alterations to the text, we could lower the surveys' readability and make it easier for patients to read and understand.
Objectives: The readability of the major sinonasal disease specific Quality of Life (QOL) surveys are above the recommended sixth grade level. Therefore, this study aimed to determine what specific components of the SNOT-22 and RSDI are above the recommended readability level and proposes alternative text to improve the readability of the surveys.
Study Design: Three validated readability metrics: 1) Gunning Fog, 2) Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and 3) FORCAST- were used to analyze the readability of the SNOT-22 and RSDI. In addition, we developed alternative text to improve the readability of the SNOT-22 and RSDI to make it consistent with the recommended readability level.
Methods: The three-readability metrics evaluated the readability of the surveys. Higher than sixth grade readability level with two readability metrics were considered above the recommended readability level.
Results: The Gunning Fog, SMOG, and FORCAST readability was 5th, 7th, and 11th grade for the SNOT-22 and was 9th, 10th, and 11th grade for the RSDI, respectively. (7 out of total 22 questions) for the SNOT-22 and most of the questions (26 out of total 30 questions) for the RSDI and were above the recommended 6th grade reading level. The proposed alternative text improved grade level readability for both surveys.
Conclusions: Unfortunately, the SNOT-22 and RSDI readability are above the recommended level. However, with simple alterations to the text, we could lower the surveys' readability and make it easier for patients to read and understand. Additional validation studies will be needed to confirm the tools still capture relevant components of sinonasal QOL.