Specific versus Generic Outcome Measure in Adeno-Tonsil Pathology

Abstract

Objective: 1) Compare the disease specific T14 outcome measure score to the generic quality of life CHQPF28 score in children with adenotonsillar pathology. 2) Investigate the relation of number of episodes of tonsillitis and presence of sleep apnea to both scores.

Method: Cross-sectional study carried out in 2011. Parents of 146 children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy at 3 London hospitals completed both T14 and CHQPF28 questionnaires. We also inquired about the number of episodes of acute tonsillitis a child suffers from each year and whether they have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Their scores were analyzed to measure the relation between the 2 tests and investigate the usefulness of the T14 as a measure of the impact of adenotonsillar pathology on children’s health.

Results: The T14 infective and total score correlated well with the number of episodes of tonsillitis children have (Spearman rs = 0.5 and rs = 0.64). The obstructive element differentiated between children with OSA and no OSA (t test P < .001). However, the overall T14 score, its infective and obstructive components, did not correlate well with the children CHQPF28 scores (rs = −0.01, P = .95; rs = −0.08, P = .53; rs = −0.09, P = .47; respectively).

Conclusion: The T14 performs well in predicting patients with significant adenotonsillar pathology with its infective and obstructive component and is a good outcome measure for treatment. It is not a good indicator of the impact of adenotonsillar disorder on the child’s overall well-being as a static measure when compared to a generic quality of life test.