Psychometric validation of a patient-reported sensory perception and preference instrument: the Sensory Perceptions Questionnaire.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of content validity, construct validity, and test-retest reliability of a 23-item Sensory Perceptions Questionnaire (SPQ) used to survey sensory perceptions of intranasal corticosteroid sprays. Two patient cohorts (men and women aged > or =18 years who had at least a 1-year history of allergic rhinitis and had been using a corticosteroid nasal spray) were enrolled. The content validity and construct validity of the SPQ questions were evaluated using a cognitive debriefing method after cohort 1 (n=15) completed the SPQ. Test-retest reliability (assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] of the SPQ questions) was evaluated in cohort 2 (n=50), after they answered a Web-based version of the SPQ on two occasions, each separated by 7 days. In cohort 1, 7 of 15 patients believed all relevant sensory perceptions were addressed in the questionnaire. Although 8 patients mentioned at least 1 sensory perception that was not addressed, only 4 sensory perceptions were mentioned by more than 1 patient, and none was mentioned reliably by more than 2 patients. Those 4 sensory perceptions not addressed in the SPQ were all intentionally excluded, because they were potential symptoms of rhinitis or adverse events associated with intranasal corticosteroid spray use. Patients regarded the questions as straightforward, nonburdensome, and nonthreatening, signs suggesting the questions were not likely to challenge the construct validity of the SPQ. The responses to 2 questions (one in which patients were asked to indicate whether they were pleased or displeased overall with a particular spray; the other to indicate their overall product preference) were somewhat influenced by the effectiveness of the sprays. Results of test-retest reliability (cohort 2) showed both high (>0.8) and low (<0.7) ICCs. A high degree of correspondence between the 2 administrations produced a low between-patient variance, which likely resulted in lower ICCs. The SPQ adequately represents the sensory attributes reported by patients regarding intranasal corticosteroid spray use and, overall, is a valid measure of patient preference based on sensory perception.