Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the validity and test-retest reliability of the Dutch translation of the Chronic Otitis Media Benefit Inventory (COMBI) questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 30 chronic otitis media (COM) patients with a previous ear surgery completed the questionnaire; 30 patients with a negative medical history of COM complaints and with previous non-otologic surgery as the control group completed the questionnaire. For estimating the test-retest reliability, patients of the COM group completed the questionnaire twice; the scores were compared to those of the control group to test the validity. RESULTS: The overall COMBI score ranged as 32-60 in the patient test group, 32-60 in the patient retest group, and 35-40 in the control group. A mean (standard deviation) score of 43.87 (6.81) in the patient test group, 44.4 (6.83) in the patient retest group, and 36.7 (1.29) in the control group was noted. Post-intervention, the COM patients had a significantly higher absolute COMBI score compared to the control group. The diagnostic accuracy was investigated, and a cut-off score of 38.5 was found to have a high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing a significant positive change from an insignificant change after the intervention. The average-measures intra-class correlation coefficient for absolute agreement (ICCAA) was 0.985 (95% confidence interval: 0.969-0.993), indicating an excellent test-retest reliability in the control group. CONCLUSION: The Dutch version of the COMBI questionnaire has a good validity, diagnostic accuracy, and test-retest reliability.