Validation of the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire adapted to Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese. A prospective study was conducted with ROE administration to 56 patients submitted to rhinoplasty (preoperatively, and then 15-day and 90-day postoperatively) and 100 volunteers without the need or desire of cosmetic or functional nasal surgery. Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reproducibility), validity, responsiveness and clinical interpretability were assessed. Rhinoplasty patients' mean preoperative score was 7.14, 15days post-op 17.73 and 90days post-op 20.50, while controls presented 17.94 points (p<0.0001), showing the questionnaire's validity and responsiveness. Internal consistency was 0.86. Inter- and intra-examiner test-retest reproducibility was 0.90 and 0.94, respectively. The effect size caused by the surgery was considered large (15days post-op compared to the preoperative score: effect size=3.22; 90days post-op compared to preoperative score: effect size=4.06). The minimally important difference was 8.67 points, so changes smaller than 9 points in ROE might not be perceived by the patient as an improvement or worsening. The Brazilian Portuguese version of ROE is a valid instrument to assess results in rhinoplasty patients.