Measuring otoplasty outcome: Expanding the validity to caregivers' perspective and to Portuguese-speaking children.

Abstract

The GBI (Glasgow Benefit Inventory) and the GCBI (Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory) are used to evaluate patient-reported Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) following otoplasty for prominent ears. The aim of this study was to validate them through patients' and caregivers' perspectives and in Portuguese language versions. After translation to Portuguese, the GBI and the GCBI were applied to patients (n = 255) who underwent otoplasty throughout a five-year span and to their caregivers, respectively. A second set of questionnaires (retest) was applied to assess reliability. Caregivers were subsequently contacted to evaluate aesthetic satisfaction, recommendation to others, postoperative complications and main motivation for surgery. Paediatric Surgery Department of a tertiary hospital in Porto, Portugal. 134 patients (aged 10.9 ± 3.6 years, 61.2% males) and their caregivers (52.5% responders). Impact on HRQoL using the Portuguese GBI and GCBI (global score, -100 to 100). Validity assessed by principal component factor analysis, Cronbach's α and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The GBI was 30.1 ± 25.7 and the GCBI was 22.6 ± 23.0. For the GBI, three subscales were identified, explaining 63.3% of variance. For the GCBI, two subscales were identified, accounting for 66.8% of variance. Both the GBI and the GCBI showed a high internal consistency (α = 0.92 and 0.94, respectively). 79% were satisfied and 92% recommended the surgery. Statistically significant higher scores were found in satisfied patients, in those who underwent surgery due to teasing, and in females. The Portuguese GBI and GCBI proved to be valid and reliable to evaluate HRQoL following otoplasty in Portuguese-speaking children. The outcome was very favourable; almost all patients would recommend the surgery.