A validation study of the 30-day questionnaire in the national Norwegian Tonsil Surgery Register: can we trust the data reported by the patients?

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to validate the Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) in the Norwegian Tonsil Surgery Register (NTSR) and to examine whether any improvements to the questionnaire could be useful. Methods This is a prospective, descriptive study. NTSR collects data from patients who undergo tonsil surgery and the intention of the register is to improve the quality of treatment and to contribute to research. The patients answers questions about admission due to postoperative haemorrhage, infection and pain 30 days after surgery. 305 patients were contacted on phone 1–2 weeks after answering the questionnaires electronically (ePROM) and asked the same questions. 180 of 305 patients we contacted had some kind of complications after surgery. They were asked additional questions to search for possible points for improvement of the questionnaire. Results When comparing the results on the ePROM with the answers on phone, we found that 12 out of 14 variables achieve almost perfect agreement (AC1 ≥ 0.81). Two variables are categorized to be substantial agreement (AC1 = 0.61–0.80). The additional questions showed us that the questionnaire can be improved with more detailed information regarding the severity of the postoperative haemorrhage and the need of better treatment against postoperative pain. Conclusion This study shows that the information from the 30-day ePROM has high reliability. The questions were understood as they were intended, and the answers reflect what the patients had of complications. Some changes can be done to improve the questionnaire and to open up for more research around the tonsillectomy procedure.