These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Psychometric validation of the rhinitis control assessment test: a brief patient-completed instrument for evaluating rhinitis symptom control.
    Author: Schatz M, Meltzer EO, Nathan R, Derebery MJ, Mintz M, Stanford RH, Dalal AA, Silvey MJ, Kosinski M.
    Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol; 2010 Feb; 104(2):118-24. PubMed ID: 20306814.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is common, but a validated tool for comprehensive assessment of disease control is not available. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple patient-completed instrument (the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test [RCAT]) to help detect problems with control of rhinitis symptoms. METHODS: During a visit to an allergy specialist, 410 patients with allergic rhinitis completed a Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) assessment and the 26-item developmental RCAT. Physicians also completed a global assessment of rhinitis symptom control for each patient. RESULTS: Stepwise regression methods identified 6 items from the developmental RCAT (frequency of nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes; sleep interference; activity avoidance; and self-assessed control) that were most predictive of the allergist's global rating of rhinitis symptom control. A summated rating scale from these 6 items showed good convergent validity (r > 0.70) with scale scores from the TNSS. The discriminant validity of the 6-item scale was demonstrated as mean RCAT scale scores differed significantly across groups of patients differing in physician-rated disease severity (F = 54.4), TNSS severity (F = 193.8), and physician-recommended change in therapy (F = 50.6) (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The RCAT, a 6-item patient-completed instrument, has satisfactory psychometric properties and seems to be a valid tool for assessing control of allergic rhinitis. Further validation studies will provide confirmation.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]