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The validity and reliability of the reflux finding score (RFS)
P C Belafsky1, G N Postma, J A Koufman
1Center for Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University, WFU School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1034, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|September 25, 2001
Summary
The Reflux Finding Score (RFS) effectively measures treatment outcomes for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This validated tool shows high reliability among observers for assessing LPR severity and treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical device validation
Background:
- Accurate quantification of medical and surgical outcomes is crucial.
- No validated instrument currently exists to document physical findings and severity of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Reflux Finding Score (RFS).
Main Methods:
- Forty patients with LPR (confirmed by pH monitoring) were assessed pre-treatment and at 2, 4, and 6 months post-treatment.
- The RFS was documented at each visit.
- Inter- and intraobserver reliability was assessed by blinded laryngologists.
Main Results:
- The RFS demonstrated a significant decrease over 6 months of treatment (P <.001).
- Excellent intraobserver reliability was found (r = 0.95, P <.001 for both laryngologists).
- High interobserver reliability was achieved (correlation coefficient = 0.90, P <.001).
Conclusions:
- The RFS is a valid instrument for documenting treatment efficacy in LPR patients.
- The RFS exhibits excellent inter- and intraobserver reproducibility.