Reliability and validity of the rhinitis control assessment test (thai version) in patients with rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) (Thai version) in patients with rhinitis. Materials and Methods: This is a questionnaire-based research, cross-sectional study. The researchers had asked permission from the developer to translate the RCAT into Thai based on the international standard of translation method. Validity test was evaluated by the expert looking at the items in the questionnaire and agreeing that the test is a valid measure of the concept. Fifty patients with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis were recruited into the present study and completed the RCAT, total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) and skin tests were measured at the same time. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and Pearson correlation were evaluated for its reliability. Results: The RCAT (Thai version) have a good reliability and validity with Cronbach’s coefficient alpha 0.73 and Pearson correlation 0.74 in correlation analysis with TNSS (p<0.01). The aspect of content validity was evaluated by three specialists, and they agreed to all six questions of RCAT (Thai version). Conclusion: The researchers have demonstrated that the RCAT (Thai version) have a good reliability and validity and is suitable for clinical application to evaluate the rhinitis symptoms.