Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the arabic version of the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale.

Objectives/hypothesis: Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale into the Arabic language with studying of its psychometric properties.

Study Design: Prospective instrument-validation study.

Methods: Guidelines for the cross-cultural adaptation process from the original English language scale into the Arabic language version were followed. We assessed the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the NOSE scale (A-NOSE) (feasibility, reproducibility, internal consistency, reliability, discriminatory validity, responsiveness to change) in 101 consecutive patients who underwent septal surgery (preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively) and 102 asymptomatic controls.

Results: The Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference for the mean score between the patients and the control group denoting good clinical validity. The Cronbach's α coefficient value for the A-NOSE scale for 101 cases was 0.995, demonstrating good internal consistency. The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed a marked improvement in the patients score 3 months postoperatively. Correlation and level of agreement of the mean score of the A-NOSE scale for each question were studied using Spearman's rank correlation for each question, and Pearson's correlation for the total score showed statistically significant results.

Conclusions: The A-NOSE scale is a valid instrument for evaluating the subjective severity of nasal obstruction and is recommended to be used in rhinology research and daily practice.

Level Of Evidence: 3b. Laryngoscope, 127:2455-2459, 2017.