Vietnamese Translation and Validation of Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

Objective: The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale is a validated disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure for assessing health-related quality of life in nasal obstruction. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Vietnamese version of the NOSE questionnaire.

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary academic center.

Methods: Using a standardized forward-backward translation protocol, the Vietnamese NOSE (VN-NOSE) was developed and psychometrically validated in 143 participants (101 patients with nasal obstruction and 42 healthy controls). Among symptomatic patients, 47 undergoing endoscopic septoplasty with inferior turbinoplasty completed assessments preoperatively and at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, discriminant validity, responsiveness, and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were evaluated. Correlations with a visual analogue scale (VAS), a 6-point Likert scale, and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were analyzed.

Results: The VN-NOSE showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.993). A strong correlation was observed with the VAS, but not with PNIF. Postoperative NOSE scores improved significantly over time (P < .01), with a large effect size at 3 months (Cohen's d = 2.17). The VN-NOSE effectively discriminated between patients and controls. The MCID, estimated using both distribution- and anchor-based methods, was approximately 15 points.

Conclusion: The VN-NOSE is a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument for clinical and research use in Vietnamese patients with nasal obstruction, with an MCID of 15 points.