Learning Objectives: 1. To appreciate the significance of attaining HRQoL data from patients to assess outcome. 2. To understand the development and application of the COMQ-12. 3. To understand the development and application of the COMBI. 4. To appreciate how the use of the COMQ-12 and COMBI represent an opportunity to compare HRQoL worldwide.

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) measurements reflect the overall burden of disease from the perspective of the patient rather than the clinician. This makes the acquisition of this kind of data particularly pertinent in otology, where single clinical, radiological, and audiological findings may inter-relate poorly, and therefore poorly predict HRQoL. The use of HRQoL measures has been shown to aid both the patient's prioritisation of their symptoms and the management of their individual expectations.

The COMQ-12 and COMBI have been developed to assess the patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to chronic otitis media. Both of these questionnaires have been developed to be completed by the patient before physician assessment. Both questionnaires are composed of 12 items that cover a broad range of experiences pertinent to patients with chronic otitis media. The COMQ-12 and COMBI have been developed from the same core item pool, and are complimentary tools that have been shown to provide an accurate assessment of disease severity.

This presentation will take the opportunity to detail the process of questionnaire development and psychometric analysis. Details regarding the translation of these questionnaires into foreign languages and their relevance for assessing outcome in clinical practice will also be provided.