Supraesophageal Reflux: Validation of a Symptom Questionnaire

Objective

To develop and validate a questionnaire for supraesophageal manifestations of reflux (SER) that will facilitate its study in clinical and research settings.

Study design

The Supraesophageal Reflux Questionnaire (SERQ) and previously validated Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) were subjected to multiple types of validity testing, including content validity, concurrent validity, reproducibility, and predictive validity.

Results

The concurrent validity and reproducibility of both instruments was good to excellent for most items tested. The predictive validity of the SERQ was superior to the RSI when it included the covariates of history of sinusitis, use of over-the-counter antacid medications, age, gender, and body mass index.

Conclusions

The SERQ will serve as both a useful clinical and research tool by offering not only SER symptom information, like the RSI, but also information about the patient’s medical history and medication usage that will facilitate use of the SERQ in research protocols.

EBM rating: B-2b