28 Chapter 2 study selection process. Search results were entered into reference management software (End-Note version X9, Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA). Eligible studies All PROMs regarding tinnitus, hearing loss, otalgia, otorrhoea, and/or ear-related pressure sensation, vertigo, prurigo, or dysgeusia, or all synonyms, in adults, presented in a full-text paper that concerns the development (“development paper”) and/or evaluation of the measurement properties (“validation paper”) were eligible for inclusion. These symptoms were defined in earlier research.8 Adult age is defined as 18 years or older. Questionnaires that were validated for an adult population including a small proportion of teenagers were also included, as we do not believe this immediately invalidates the questionnaire. All items in the questionnaire had to be closed-ended. Proxy-reported questionnaires or questionnaires assessing complaints in proxies (e.g., spouses) caused by patients’ disease were not considered eligible. Although generic questionnaires (e.g., generic QoL questionnaires) are applicable to the otology population, they were not considered eligible, as they do not specifically address the issues important for otology patients.10 However, questionnaires addressing the effect of otologic symptoms/diseases on a patient’s quality of life, disease-specific health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) questionnaires, were eligible for inclusion. Questionnaire language had to be English. Otherwise, questionnaires were eligible for inclusion provided that they have been validated, with full-text availability of the development and/or validation paper in the English language. All exclusion criteria were applied to Search 1, together with the inclusion criteria “questionnaire addressing otology complaint.” All inclusion and exclusion criteria (Table 1) were applied to Search 2. Article selection All search records from Search 1 were screened by two independent reviewers (KV and EB) for eligibility. This process was aimed at identifying questionnaires through screening of the title and abstract. Full text was examined in case of doubt over eligibility. Questionnaire identification was followed by identification of the corresponding development paper and/or validation paper (Search 2). Eligibility was assessed according to the criteria depicted in Table 1. This was performed by one reviewer. Full-text copies of potentially relevant original articles and/or validation papers were purchased. Any disagreement between the reviewers over the eligibility of particular articles was resolved through discussion between the reviewers. When needed, our expert team discussed selection difficulties.
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