Refinement and Further Application of the Qualities of Sore Throat Index (QUASTI)

Abstract

Aim: The Qualities of Sore Throat Index (QuaSTI) assesses the status of patient-reported pharyngeal pain. One study used QuaSTI in isolation; a separate study used QuaSTI plus the Sore Throat Scale (STS). Both studies also used a Sore Throat Pain Intensity Scale (STPIS). This study evaluates STS and STPIS as instruments to refine the QuaSTI. Materials & methods: Correlational analysis determined the degree of association between STPIS and STS. Confirmatory factor analyses evaluated the proposed factor structure of QuaSTI. Results: A strong correlation between STS and STPIS (r = 0.91; p < 0.01), supports the use of STS in QuaSTI. Analyses confirm a three-factor structure for the 10-item QuaSTI and validate inclusion of an additional item to create an 11-item tool for measuring pharyngeal pain. Conclusion: The QuaSTI represents a robust and validated tool for measuring therapeutic effects in patients with pharyngitis.

Keywords::

• pain
• pharyngitis
• qualities of pain
• qualities of sore throat index
• sore throat
• validation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank MS Hill (a former employee of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK) for technical support.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Funding for this study was provided by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK, which was involved in the design and interpretation of the data for this study. A Smith and A Shephard are full-time employees of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Medical writing assistance was provided by D East of Elements Communications Ltd, Westerham, UK, which was funded by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK.

Data sharing statement

The authors certify that this manuscript reports the secondary analysis of clinical trial data that have been shared with them, and that the use of this shared data is in accordance with the terms (if any) agreed upon their receipt. The source of this data is: NCT01986361.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK, which was involved in the design and interpretation of the data for this study. A Smith and A Shephard are full-time employees of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Medical writing assistance was provided by D East of Elements Communications Ltd, Westerham, UK, which was funded by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd, UK.