Patient experience with quality-of-life questionnaires for obstructive salivary gland disorders: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Disease severity and treatment efficacy in salivary gland disorders can be gauged through quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires. However, limited research has explored patient experience with these questionnaires. This cross-sectional study assessed the usability of, and patient experience with, six validated QoL questionnaires.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the usability of and patient experience with the QoL-15D, Oral Health Impact Profile-14, Manukau Salivary Symptom Score, Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms, Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society, and Glasgow Benefit Index questionnaires. We measured the time to complete each questionnaire, patient-perceived questionnaire coverage of symptoms and disease impact using a 5-point Likert scale, patient experience with the questionnaires through open feedback, and which questionnaire patients most preferred. There were 30 participants in this study.

Results: All questionnaires tested could be completed in under 5 min each. The most preferred questionnaire was the Manukau Salivary Symptom Score (43%). Participants raised the following concerns regarding the questionnaires: unclear timeframes (90%), questions not being relevant (67%), initial questions not addressing their primary symptoms (40%), confusing or unclear question wording (37%), inconsistent response scale between questions (27%), and antibiotic use during flare-ups assuming access to primary medical care (7%).

Conclusion: No previous study has measured and analysed patient experience with the currently validated QoL questionnaires used in salivary gland disorders. This study's findings can be used to inform both questionnaire selection as well as the development of future QoL questionnaires for salivary gland disorders in order to achieve a better overall patient experience and reduce unintentional bias.