Application of a new patient-reported outcome measure in orofacial clefts: An exploratory study in two countries

Patients with repaired cleft lip and/or palate may vary in satisfaction with their treatment. The exploratory study investigated the satisfaction of patients with orofacial clefts, and their parents with cleft treatment outcomes using the Cleft Hearing, Appearance and Speech Questionnaire (CHASQ). The study included 29 Vietnamese and 27 Estonian patients aged ≥ 7 years with repaired cleft lip and/or palate. The CHASQ was translated into Vietnamese and Estonian. The questionnaire was completed independently by patients and their parents. There were nine items in the CHASQ associated with the cleft (Factor 1) and six items less associated with the cleft (Factor 2). Significant moderate positive correlations were related to Factor 1. Vietnamese patients self-rated lower than Estonian patients in most of the items except speech. The agreement between patients and parents varied from low to moderate positive correlations in the features associated with the cleft, and mainly in the Vietnam sample. Vietnamese patients were less satisfied than Estonian patients. CHASQ is an easy tool to evaluate patients' satisfaction with hearing, appearance, and speech.