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Development and validation of Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life Questionnaire (NPQ)
  • +11
  • Ilaria Baiardini,
  • Giovanni Paoletti,
  • Alessia Mariani,
  • Luca Malvezzi,
  • Francesca Pirola,
  • Giuseppe Mercante,
  • Giuseppe Spriano,
  • Francesca Puggioni,
  • Francesca Racca,
  • Giulio Melone,
  • Giacomo Malipiero,
  • Sebastian Ferri,
  • Giorgio Walter Canonica,
  • Enrico Heffler
Ilaria Baiardini
Humanitas University

Corresponding Author:ilaria.baiardini@libero.it

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Giovanni Paoletti
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Alessia Mariani
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Luca Malvezzi
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Francesca Pirola
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Giuseppe Mercante
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Giuseppe Spriano
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Francesca Puggioni
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Francesca Racca
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Giulio Melone
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Giacomo Malipiero
Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, IRCCS
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Sebastian Ferri
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS
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Giorgio Walter Canonica
Humanitas University
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Enrico Heffler
Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, IRCCS
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Abstract

Background: To date, no disease-specific tool is 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 questionnaire –NPQ. Methods: According to the current guidelines, the development and validation of the NPQ occurred in two separate steps involving different groups of patients. Results: In the development process of NPQ an initial list of items 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), 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. Conclusion: NPQ is the first questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in CRSwNP. Our results provide that the new tool is valid, reliable, and sensitive to individual changes.