Validation Of Preference Module Of Experience With Allergic Rhinitis Nasal Sprays Questionnaire (EARNS-Q)

EARNS-Q Preference Module consists of efficacy, sensory perception (SP), device characteristic (DC), spray delivery (SD), overall product preference (OPP) and total domain. TSQM consists of global satisfaction (GS), convenience, effectiveness and side-effects (SE) domains. Positive (+ve) correlation of EARNS-Q preference scores with change on TSQM domains indicate that preference for a product is associated with better TSQM scores. Negative (-ve) correlation with mean daily rTNSS indicate that preference for a product is associated with lower mean daily rTNSS. Change in TSQM domain scores and mean daily rTNSS was calculated as scores in Treatment Period (TP) 2 minus scores in TP1; change in TSQM is +ve, product in TP2 is preferred, vice-versa; change in rTNSS is -ve, product administered in TP2 is preferred, vice-versa.

The 28 items of the EARNS-Q experience module assess 14 attributes with regard to their product rating and their importance of efficacy, SP, DC and SD. The EARNS-Q preference module consists of additional 15 items that evaluate preference by comparing two products based on the same 14 experience attributes as well as on OPP. Change in EARNS-Q Experience Module domain scores was calculated as scores in TP2 minus scores in TP1. If the change in EARNS-Q Experience Module domain scores is +ve, product in TP2 is preferred and vice-versa. A higher product rating for one of the sprays lead to a preference for that spray. The EARNS-Q preference module was assessed only once, at the end of TP2. Positive correlations indicate agreement (i.e. preference for a product is positively associated with better experience with same product).

The rTNSS score is the sum of the four individual symptom scores for rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and sneezing. Each symptom is scored on a 4 point scale ranging from 0 to 3. Each individual symptom was evaluated using a scale of 0 (none; symptom is not present), 1 (mild; sign/symptom clearly present but minimal awareness; easily tolerated), 2 (moderate; definite awareness of sign/symptom that is bothersome but tolerable), or 3 (severe; sign/symptom is hard to tolerate; causes interference with activities of daily living and/or sleeping). The rTNSS ranges from 0 (none) to 12 (severe). Higher score represents greater severity of symptoms. The reflective assessment of the TNSS scores the four nasal symptoms over the previous 12 hours and are assessed in the morning and evening. The participants themselves scored nasal symptoms in a diary card. The analysis was done based on the rTNSS averaged over the two weeks of the treatment period.

The participants with preference of nasal sprays (Nasarel or Beconase AQ) at the end of the last cross-over period was planned to be analyzed using the preference module of the EARNS-Q. The data for this outcome measure was not collected and the result summary was not generated.