The Persian Version of Reflux Sign Assessment Scale: Validity and Reliability for the Examination of Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.

Objectives/hypothesis: The non-specificity of signs associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) makes the diagnosis challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of reflux sign assessment (RSAp) in LPRD.

Study Design: This was a methodological study.

Methods: The prefinal version of RSAp was developed in a forward and backward translation protocol. It was completed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and an otolaryngologist for 20 LPRD patients to provide a final version. The final version was completed by a SLP (rater 1) for 42 LPRD patients and 42 healthy people. To study intra and inter-rater reliability, the RSAp was recompleted after 21 days by rater 1 and another SLP (rater 2), respectively. For construct validity, the reflux finding score and reflux symptom index was completed in the patients.

Results: There were significant differences in the subscales and total scores of RSAp between the patient and healthy groups (P < 0.001). The Cronbach's alpha of the total score was 0.76 and 0.72 for rater 1 and 2, respectively. Concordance correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient values for all scores showed excellent intra and inter-rater reliability. The total score had a significant positive correlation with the scores of reflux finding score and reflux symptom index (r = 0.813, P < 0.001 and r = 0.811, P < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: The current study indicated the RSAp is a valid and reliable scale for the examination of the vocal tract in LPRD. The RSAp can be used as a useful tool in clinical and research settings for Persian LPRD patients.