title: A review of sinonasal outcome scoring systems - which is best?
abstract: * In patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, there is a lack of a universally accepted system for the evaluation of outcome. * This makes critical comparison between results less meaningful. * To determine the most suitable sinonasal outcome scoring system for use in our own practice, we reviewed the available literature and known systems in existence. * We analysed 15 known disease-specific sinonasal outcome indices with emphasis on reliability, validity and responsiveness. * We concluded by choosing one quality of life outcome tool for our departmental use, the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22, due to its reliability, validity, responsiveness and ease of use. * It has been validated to distinguish between disease-affected patient groups and those without rhinosinusitis, demonstrate a worse score if the condition gets worse and show an appropriateness of items and scales in the questionnaire. This has been demonstrated in 3128 British patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, UK. admorley@fiscali.co.uk
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome