Inner room-questionnaire for the German-speaking area

The sick building syndrome (SBS) is well known in Germany, too. Because reliable objective data are missing questionnaires are essential in investigations of SBS. Internationally, different questionnaires are used which often lack thorough validation. Therefore, aim of this study was to combine the development of a questionnaire and the analysis of its sensitivity and reliability. For proofing sensitivity, 40 volunteers kept a Symptom Diary for one week and, for comparison, answered the questionnaire in the following week seven times during one year. For testing reliability, 60 volunteers filled in the questionnaire on Monday and on Friday of the same week. Agreement was tested by statistical measure kappa (kappa). The sensitivity test showed that details obtained by diary occurred less pronounced but similarly distributed in the questionnaire. The reliability test showed stable socio-demographic and work-related variables. Among the symptoms, eye troubles (kappa = 0.88), skin troubles in the face (kappa = 0.77) and on the hands (kappa = 0.75) were stable. Among the indoor complaints unpleasant odors (kappa = 0.68), sounds (kappa = 0.72), bright lighting (kappa = 0.85), and dust (kappa = 0.86) were stable. Our questionnaire recorded principally plausibly indoor complaints and well-being disturbances. A definite judgement of the questionnaire can only be made after its application to a SBS-affected group. Nevertheless, our questionnaire can be introduced into the process of developing a standardised international SBS-questionnaire. Moreover, our results indicate that events asked by questionnaire over a retrospective period of more than one week should be interpreted with caution.