The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS): a new research instrument for assessing the common cold.

摘要: Objective To develop a sensitive, reliable, responsive, easy-to-use instrument for assessing the severity and functional impact of common cold. Study design We created an illness-specific health-related quality-of-life outcomes instrument. This original questionnaire was used in 1999 randomized trial echinacea In 2000 we cognitive interview focus group qualitative methods to further Semistructured interviews open-ended questions elicit symptoms, terminology, perceived impact. Responses were improve Population The watched 142 University Wisconsin students total 953 days illness. subsequent development project recruited 74 adults with self-diagnosed colds 56 in-person 3 groups. Outcomes measured specific symptom clusters (dimensions), impact, global severity. Results included 20 questions: indicator, 15 symptom-severity items using 9-point scales, 4 yes/no assessments. Data from provided evidence underlying dimensions: nasal, throat, cough, fever aches, reliability coefficients 0.663, 0.668, 0.794, 0.753, respectively. Qualitative assessments groups led us expand 32 symptom-specific 10 impairment items. scale revised 7 points. Two bring item count 44. fits comfortably on front back single sheet paper. Conclusions Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS) is ready formal validity testing or practical use cold research.