Reliability and validity of the mandarin version of the tinnitus primary function questionnaire

Abstract

Tinnitus is a prevalent condition among different populations. As the nature of tinnitus is subjective, self-reported measures have been validated and utilized to assess psychometric properties of tinnitus patients. Without exception, Chinese clinicians have administered these measures to patients in mainland China after cross-cultural adaptation. However, shortcomings of these Mandarin measures limited the widespread use of them. Measures which can be fully adapted to the context of Chinese tinnitus patients are still needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Mandarin Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ-M) in a Chinese population. In this observational questionnaire study, we recruited 350 subjects with primary tinnitus from hearing clinics of West China Hospital and administered the TPFQ-M, Mandarin Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-M), and a systematic hearing test battery. The subjects finished the TPFQ-M within 3 minutes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a 4-factor model was close to fit. The Cronbach alpha of TPFQ-M was 0.925, and test-retest reliability was reasonable with a 7-day test interval (ICC = 0.857, P < .001; 95% CI: 0.764–0.915). Test-retest reliabilities of subdomains were not parallel to each other, with 0.612 for Emotion, 0.766 for Sleep, 0.860 for Concentration, and 0.897 for Hearing. The convergent validity of TPFQ-M compared to the THI-M was moderate ( r = 0.705, P < .001; 95% CI: 0.647–0.754). The TPFQ-M, which shows high internal consistency and good factor structure, is simple and relatively easy to administer in busy clinics. Additional in-depth research involving multiple centers in mainland China is warranted.

The incidence of anxiety in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus

“…Statistically significant difference between groups divided by tinnitus handicap score was not found when it comes to level of frequency and intensity of tinnitus. The score of the THI is consistent with the reports of other authors who used the same questionnaire to evaluate the burden of patients with tinnitus [19,20]. In relation to the control group by the results of THI test, which coincides with the reports of other authors, we concluded that very severe and severe tinnitus reduce working ability, disrupt sleep, cause emotional disorders and significantly affect the quality of life in general [20].…”

“…The score of the THI is consistent with the reports of other authors who used the same questionnaire to evaluate the burden of patients with tinnitus [19,20]. In relation to the control group by the results of THI test, which coincides with the reports of other authors, we concluded that very severe and severe tinnitus reduce working ability, disrupt sleep, cause emotional disorders and significantly affect the quality of life in general [20]. In the group with tinnitus according to the results of BAI, the largest number of subjects had borderline anxiety, 28.8%, moderate anxiety was found in 23.3% of subjects, mild anxiety was found in 17.8%, severe anxiety 6.8% and 3 subjects had extreme anxiety or 4.1%.…”

Tradução, adaptação cultural e validação do Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire e tradução e adaptação cultural do Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire

“…A tradução desse mesmo instrumento para o idioma coreano, por exemplo, apresentou ICC semelhante ao encontrado na presente pesquisa (entre 0,50 e 0,82, nas sentenças) (Shin et al, 2019). A tradução da versão reduzida do questionário para o mandarim também mostrou ICC semelhante, com a ressalva que o aspecto emocional apresentou ICC˂0,70 (0,86 concentração; 0,61 emocional; 0,89 audição; 0,76 sono; e 0,85 no escore total) (Lu et al, 2019). O achado de Lu et al (2019) (Nahad et al, 2014;Kuk et al, 1990).…”

“…Entretanto, vale enfatizar que a consistência interna adequada do THQ se relaciona com a análise de todos os itens, quando se analisa individualmente os fatores; o Fator 3 não pode ser considerado consistente e reprodutível (Kuk et al, 1990). Em estudos de tradução e validação para outros idiomas, foram encontrados valores de ⍺=0,82 a ⍺=0,95 para o TPFQ, conforme a Tabela 7 (Xin et al, 2021;Lu et al, 2019;Talaat et al, 2019;Shin et al, 2019;Tyler et al, 2014); e para o questionário THQ valores de ⍺=0,88 a ⍺=0,96, conforme a Tabela 8. Terwee et al, 2007).…”

“…Até pouco tempo no Brasil, entretanto, havia um único questionário disponível, o Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) ocorreu porque ambos já estão validados internacionalmente em vários idiomas (Xin et al, 2021;Talaat et al, 2020;Lu et al, 2019;Shin et al, 2019;Jun et al, 2015;Arian Nahad et al, 2014;Vanneste, et al, 2011;Bouscau-Faure et al, 2003) (Fuller et al, 2019;Ukaegbe et al, 2017;Zirke et al, 2013;Tyler et al, 2007;Refaie et al, 2004).…”