Exploring Completion Rates of the SNOT-22 Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• The Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a crucial patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
• Incomplete SNOT-22 surveys may compromise the accuracy of patient data and treatment assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate SNOT-22 completion rates and identify factors contributing to unanswered questions.
• To enhance the predictive utility and practical application of the SNOT-22 in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1,034 SNOT-22 surveys from CRS patients.
• Inclusion of surveys with at least one unanswered question; exclusion of entirely blank surveys.
• Examination of response trends and correlations with survey completion.

Main Results:

• 18% of SNOT-22 surveys were incomplete, a higher rate than typically reported for similar PROMs.
• "Ear fullness" and "Embarrassed" were the most frequently omitted questions.
• Later survey questions showed a higher likelihood of being left unanswered; no significant difference in total scores between partial and complete surveys.

Conclusions:

• High rates of SNOT-22 incompleteness necessitate careful interpretation, prioritizing individual item responses over total scores.
• Barriers to completion may include question wording, symptom relevance, and overall survey length.
• Further research using qualitative methods and randomized question order is recommended to improve SNOT-22 design and completion rates.