The Wisconsin Respiratory Symptom Survey‐21 to assess health‐related quality of life in college students during upper respiratory infections

Abstract

The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey‐21 (WURSS‐21) assesses symptom severity and functional status during upper respiratory infections (URIs), which are important measures of health‐related quality of life (HRQL). To determine the reliability of the WURSS‐21 in college students; and, to explore which URI symptoms and functional impairments contributed to the total severity score. This descriptive study was part of a prospective, 12‐week trial in undergraduate students (n = 198, Framingham, MA). Incidence of URIs, and HRQL during URIs, was determined via the WURSS‐21 (items ranked on a 7‐point scale, 1 = very mild and 7 = severe). Cronbach's α was calculated for survey subscales (nasal symptoms, throat symptoms and functional tasks) using day 3 scores. Sixty‐one percent of subjects experienced ≥1 URI (167 total URIs; 1003 sick days; 993 complete surveys). Cronbach's α was ≥ 0.90, indicating good reliability. The median total WURSS‐ 21 score was 66 (range = 5–832); most items were ranked as mild to moderate. The most frequently reported symptoms were ‘runny nose’ and ‘tired’ (~71% of surveys); the most frequently impaired functional tasks were ‘breathe easily’ and ‘sleep well’ (57% and 49% of surveys, respectively). The WURSS‐21 reliably assessed HRQL during URIs in college students; and, both symptoms and impaired functional tasks contributed to total scores.Research Funded by Chr Hansen A/S