Evaluation of a new method for assessing symptoms

Background: Many studies in rhinology are based on results from symptom sco ring. Numerous methods are used to estimate symptoms. With some of them the patients choose between various alternatives for estimating the severity o f their symptoms, but the commonest method is the visual analogue scale (VA S), which is regarded as reliable. Methods: In this study, we evaluate a ne w method for assessing symptoms, with which the patient uses the telephone to call a computer. We compare the results using the new method with those using symptoms estimation with VAS. Results: The results a re based on 487 observations in patients with birch pollen allergic rhinitis in the pollen season. A high correlation was found between the results using the new meth od and those using the VAS. In a questionnaire, the patients answered quest ions concerning the two methods. Most patients preferred the new telephone method. They found it easier to estimate their symptoms properly and easier to perform. Conclusion: We conclude that telephone scoring of symptoms is a reliable and adequate method when symptom scoring is used as hard data in a study. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.