The Questionnaire for O2 Therapy Evaluation (QuOTE): a simple O2 therapy assessment.

BACKGROUND

Despite the established use of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for chronic respiratory diseases, a simple tool to assess LTOT use, clinical effectiveness and side-effects is not currently available. We therefore designed and developed the Questionnaire for Oxygen Therapy Evaluation (QuOTE).

METHODS

Delphi methodology was used by a group of international respiratory specialists to identify the domains and questions to include in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was beta-tested by a group of patients using LTOT.

RESULTS

In the first round, 13 clinical and academic respiratory clinicians agreed the domains to be included. Questions covered physical activity, dyspnoea, sleep quality, mental clarity, LTOT side-effects, use patterns and equipment. Advantages and disadvantages of current tools, clinical assessment priorities for patients and clinicians, and the caveats and advantages around length were discussed, further supported by the results of a confirmatory systematic literature review. Three rounds of Delphi consensus method focused 18 questions to nine questions. Usability tests for all but three patients reported the questionnaire was easy to understand, only two felt it was not quick and easy to complete and only one patient needed assistance to complete the nine-question QuOTE.

CONCLUSION

QuOTE may improve the assessment and tracking of respiratory and sleep symptoms during initiation and ongoing treatment of patients with chronic respiratory disease receiving LTOT. By providing a brief, simple and oxygen therapy-specific tool, QuOTE can facilitate investigation of the clinical impact of LTOT and support more standardised follow-up.