ScienceRise: Medical Science

Validation of the Ukrainian version of the tinnitus quality of life assessment questionnaire "Tinnitus Handicap Inventory"

Oleksandr Naumenko — 2024-12-26

Tinnitus (the sensation of ringing or noise in the ears) is a common condition, particularly associated with hearing impairments, and significantly affects patients' quality of life, especially due to disturbances in sleep, concentration, and the deterioration of emotional well-being. One of the most widely used tools for assessing the severity of tinnitus symptoms is the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire. It was developed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of tinnitus on various aspects of a patient's life, and as a result, this questionnaire has gained international recognition. Validating the Ukrainian version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory will ensure the accuracy and reliability of data related to the impact of tinnitus on patients. It will allow for the integration of the tool into clinical practice for more effective monitoring of patient status and selection of optimal treatment methods.

The aim of the study: To validate the Ukrainian version of the "Tinnitus Handicap Inventory" questionnaire for evaluating the quality of life of patients with tinnitus.

Materials and methods: A total of 65 individuals participated in the study. Based on the established diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (35 individuals) or chronic sensorineural hearing loss (30 individuals), the patients were divided into Group A and Group B. The study design involved conducting questionnaires, otolaryngological examinations, and full audiological assessments. The questionnaires were administered to all patients twice — at the time of hospitalization and discharge from the otolaryngology department. Two questionnaires were used: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and a 10-point VAS (Visual Analog Scale) for quality of life.

Results: When evaluating dynamic changes in THI questionnaire data during treatment, patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and tinnitus showed statistically significant changes between the initial and follow-up measurements (p<0.0001). The psychometric sensitivity of the Ukrainian version of the THI questionnaire is high. No significant difference was observed for patients with chronic sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) and tinnitus. Based on the statistical analysis of the survey data from Group B, it can be concluded that the reliability of the psychometric measure is high (r>0.8), and the validation of the questionnaire is complete.

Conclusions: According to current data, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory consists of 25 simple questions and has several advantages over other scales or questionnaires, including its widespread use and integration into otolaryngological and neurological practice. This questionnaire is one of the most recognized and frequently used tools to assess tinnitus's impact on patients' quality of life worldwide. The Ukrainian version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory has successfully passed psychometric evaluation, making it sensitive, reliable, and valid. All stages of validation of the Ukrainian adapted translation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory have been successfully completed, and its use in clinical practice for assessing the quality of life of patients with tinnitus is therefore justified

Clinical and neurological features of different variants of peripheral polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Daryna Sushetska — 2024-12-26

The aim: to determine the clinical and neurological features of polyneuropathies depending on the pathomorphological type of peripheral nerve damage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and methods: We examined 96 patients who were being treated in the endocrinology department of the University Hospital of KhNMU, with a diagnosis of type 2 DM and a complication - peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP). All patients completed a general clinical and neurological examination, assessment of the severity of polyneuropathic syndrome using specialized scales, and electroneuromyographic examination to assess the morpho-functional type of peripheral nerve damage.

Results: All patients were divided into three groups according to the results of electroneuromyographic examination: group 1 - axonal type (n = 37); group 2 - demyelinating type (n = 29); group 3 - mixed (axonal-demyelinating) type (n = 30). Further, during the study, depending on the morphofunctional type of peripheral nerve damage, the clinical and neurological status of patients and the results of valid scales (TSS, NIS LL, MNSI, The pain DETECT questionnaire, the VAS analogue scale) were analyzed. The symmetry of neurological symptoms and clinical and neurological status disorders in patients with different types of peripheral neuropathy were also investigated.

Conclusions: The study showed that patients with axonal PNP in type 2 DM are more characterized by subjective neurological symptoms and reduced reflexes. In patients with a demyelinating type of PNP, impaired vibration sensitivity, decreased muscle strength in the extremities, and increased tendon reflexes of the lower extremities predominate. Patients with mixed types of PNP complain more of symptoms characteristic of axonal damage, and impaired vibration sensitivity and decreased muscle strength are also observed

Cultural adaptation and validation of the Ukrainian version of the Vertigo Symptom Scale

Serhii Dovhych — 2024-12-26

Vertigo (dizziness) is a common symptom affecting 20-30 % of adults annually. Standardized assessment tools, such as the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), are important for objectifying diagnosis and monitoring treatment but have not yet been adapted for use in Ukraine.

The aim. To conduct translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Ukrainian version of the Vertigo Symptom Scale.

Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 86 patients (50 with vestibular and 36 with psychogenic vertigo). A two-stage translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the questionnaire were performed. Reliability (Cronbach's α test, test-retest), convergent and discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change were evaluated.

Results. High internal consistency of the questionnaire was found (Cronbach's α = 0.853-0.880), reliability in repeated testing (ICC = 0.808), and strong correlation with the visual analogue scale (r = 0.823, p = 0.0001). The questionnaire demonstrated the ability to differentiate between vestibular and psychogenic vertigo (p = 0.002) and high sensitivity to changes after treatment (Cohen's d = 8.131).

Conclusions. The Ukrainian version of VSS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the severity of vertigo symptoms and can be recommended for use in clinical practice and research.

Investigation of auditory health in individuals exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressure

Yuliia Dieieva — 2024-12-26

As diving depth increases, various environmental factors influence the human body, potentially triggering a range of physiological and psychological responses. One of the most significant factors is hydrostatic pressure. To ensure safe diving, tables and additional devices are used to pre-plan the route and create a dive profile that helps prevent unpleasant and hazardous complications. Among pathological conditions that may arise during or after diving, ear damage is one of the most common, occurring in 40–63 % of cases, according to various authors.

The aim of the study: This study aims to assess the condition of both the sound-conducting and sound-perceiving components of the auditory system in divers.

Materials and methods: Between 2019 and 2023, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Bogomolets National Medical University conducted examinations and collected data from 59 individuals engaged in scuba diving with specialized equipment. The inclusion criteria were ages 18 to 55 and professional certification. Initial screening involved medical history collection and ENT examination. The following audiological assessments were conducted: pure-tone audiometry and impedance audiometry. Additional parameters such as total number of dives, maximum dive depth, and time since the last dive were also recorded.

Results and discussion: Pure-tone audiometry results showed that median hearing thresholds in Group 1 were around 10 dB, whereas in Group 2, they were approximately 5 dB. Moreover, Group 1 exhibited significantly higher bone conduction thresholds across all tested frequencies.

Conclusions: A strong positive correlation was established between anamnestic data (number of dives, maximum dive depth, and diving experience) and elevated bone conduction thresholds. This indicates that prolonged exposure to hydrostatic pressure and other diving-related factors (e.g., pressure changes, acoustic effects, potential barotrauma) may contribute to progressive hearing impairment. The strongest correlation between diving experience and perceptual sensitivity thresholds was observed, suggesting a cumulative effect on the auditory system. These findings emphasize the importance of regular auditory health monitoring among both professional and recreational divers and highlight the need to develop preventive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of increased hydrostatic pressure on the auditory system