79 The Otology Questionnaire Amsterdam 4 Scoring The response to 26 out of 34 questions are based on a ordinal adjectival rating scale. The scale ranges in the complaint domains from ‘(almost) never’ to a higher frequencies and maximum ‘(almost) always’. In de impact domain 9 questions with the five-point Likert scale ranges from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’ should be filled in. The score is numbered using 1-5 in which 1 is most favourable and 5 least favourable. Audiological questions (Q10-14) are asking about an ability (instead of a disability) the scoring system of these questions is inverted from 5-1, still being 1 is the most favourable and 5 the least favourable) outcome. For impact scoring is numbered 0-4 in which 0 is most favourable and 4 least favourable. The severity of the 8 ear complaint domains is measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 ‘no complaint’ to 100 ‘unbearable complaint’. The complaint is this question differs per domain. e.g. earache, itching, tinnitus, etc. The position where the cursor/ line is placed corresponds with a number from 0-100 (digital system) or is measured (analogue questionnaire). Scoring complaint domains Calculations are made to present a final number from 0 to 100 for each domain. Each domain is separated in a frequency (5-point Likert answer scale) and severity (VAS) except the impact domain. Depending on the number of questions of each domain the Likert questions will be calculated to a maximum total of 10 and the VAS divided to maximum total of 10 The product of these two (frequency x severity) being the final domain score (per complaint) from 0-100. 1. Earache: divide the VAS score (Q2) by 10 and then multiply by the answer score of question 1 (Q1) multiplied with 2. Earache score = [(Q2/10)*(Q2*2)] 2. Pressure sensation: divide the VAS score (Q5) by 10 and multiply by the average score of Q3-4 and then multiply with 2. Ear pressure= [(Q5/10)*((Q3+Q4)/2*2)] 3. Itching: divide the VAS score (Q7) by 10 and then multiply by the answer score of Q6 multiplied with 2. Itching score = [(Q7/10)*(Q6*2)] 4. Tinnitus: divide the VAS score (Q9) by 10 and then multiply by the answer score of Q8 multiplied with 2. Tinnitus score = [(Q9/10)*(Q8*2)] 5. Hearing loss: divide the VAS score (Q16) by 10 and multiply by the average score of Q10-15 and then multiply with 2. Hearing score= [(Q16/10)*((Q10+Q11+Q12+Q13+Q14+Q15)/6*2)] 6. Ear discharge: divide the VAS score (Q19) by 10 and multiply by the average score of Q17-18 and then multiply with 2. Ear discharge= [(Q19/10)*((Q17+Q18)/2*2)] 7. Loss of Taste: divide the VAS score (Q21) by 10 and then multiply by the answer score of Q20 multiplied with 2. Loss of taste score = [(Q21/10)*(Q20*2)] 8. Dizziness: divide the VAS score (Q25) by 10 and multiply by the average score of Q22-24 and then multiply with 2. Dizziness= [(Q25/10)*((Q22+Q23+Q24)/3*2)] Scoring impact domain A maximum score of 100 can be achieved in the impact scale if answers are filled out in the most unfavourable way. Meaning if a patient has a low impact score, the complaints have low impact on the patients daily life. Calculation: Sum the nine scores of Q26-34, divide by 36 and multiply by 100 to get a 0-100 score. Figure 2: OQUA scoring manual, version 2024
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw