Predictive value of the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire‐7 for identifying obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective To perform a systematic review to determine if a total score of ≥14.5 (mean score ≥ 2.1) on the ETDQ‐7 accurately identifies patients with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) on impedance tympanometry (peak compliance <0.2 mL or middle ear pressure of −100 daPa) or other objective measures of OETD. Methods A systematic review without a meta‐analysis was performed of studies in four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) that used the ETDQ‐7 and at least one objective measure of OETD. Results Six‐hundred and fifty‐two studies were identified in the initial literature search. Abstracts from 337 studies were screened, followed by full‐text review of 61 studies, and qualitative synthesis of 12 studies. Tympanometry was used as an objective measure in ten studies. Eight of the 12 included studies had patient cohort selection bias. Eight studies administered the ETDQ‐7 in cohorts of patients with or without OETD, already confirmed on tympanometry, and found a sensitivity of 91%‐100% and specificity of 67%‐100%. Four studies administered the ETDQ‐7 to patients who had not previously undergone objective testing and found a sensitivity of 49%‐80% and specificity of 24%‐78%. Conclusions The ETDQ‐7 is an important patient‐reported outcome measure. However, based upon existing literature, the ETDQ‐7 appears limited as a diagnostic tool for OETD or as an objective measure of Eustachian tube function.

Tubomanometry correlations with patient characteristics and other diagnostic tests of Eustachian tube dysfunction: a cohort study of 432 ears

“…Based on this patient cohort, ETDQ-7 is not a valid diagnostic tool for ETD because it did not correlate with other ET tests (TMM, otomicroscopy, or Valsalva maneuver). The same conclusion was reached in a recent review article [ 8 ].…”

“…The Toynbee maneuver is more physiological, but almost half of the healthy individuals fail this test, and the repeatability of the test is inferior to the Valsalva maneuver [ 6 , 7 ]. ETD questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) is a validated scoring system for ETD symptoms but is not an objective measure of ET function [ 8 ]. Transnasal video endoscopy allows direct evaluation of the ET’s orifice and can be used to detect pathologies of the orifice and evaluate the muscle activity [ 9 ].…”

Prevalence of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Its Associated Factors Among the General Public in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

“…Approximately 18.2% of the participants in this study were smokers. The mean score of the EDTQ was found to be 15.6, which is higher than the score of 14.5 found in a study by Andresen et al [ 17 ].…”

Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty and Grommet Insertion: A Combined Surgical Treatment for Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

“…All CSOM-ETD subjects fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: (1) The patients were diagnosed as CSOM, a perforated tympanic membrane with persistent drainage from the middle ear lasting >6∼12 weeks [ 20 ]; (2) Patients were identified as severe ETD according to the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ‐7, a seven‐question survey, Table 1 ) with the total score of ≥14.5 (mean score ≥2.1) and the symptoms lasting more than 3 months [ 15 , 21 ]. Exclusion criteria: (1) Patients had previously undergone treatment; (2) Patients were due for revision procedure; (3) Patients had a congenital ear anomaly, a history of ear surgery within the past 6 months, a history of head and neck cancer, acute otitis media, refractory chronic rhinosinusitis, recent use of ototoxic medications, or pregnancy.…”