Validation of the NOSE-Perf Scale for Nasal Septal Perforation: A Cross-Cultural Study With a Nasal Obstruction Comparator.

Objectives: Nasal septal perforation (NSP) presents complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly due to the absence of a validated, symptom-specific patient-reported outcome measure. The nasal obstruction symptom evaluation-perforation (NOSE-Perf) scale was recently developed to address this gap. This study aimed to cross-culturally validate the Korean version of the NOSE-Perf scale and evaluate its clinical utility in distinguishing NSP-related symptoms. Methods: The 12-item NOSE-Perf scale, which includes five NOSE items and seven additional, non-obstruction-related questions, was translated into Korean. Thirty-six patients with NSP, 40 with nasal obstruction only, and 40 control patients with no rhinologic symptoms completed the questionnaire. The scale's internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity were evaluated. Results: The most commonly reported symptoms on the NOSE-Perf scale among patients with NSP were nasal congestion and obstruction (32/36 for each), followed by nasal crusting and difficulty breathing through the nose. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's Conclusion: The Korean version of the NOSE-Perf scale is a valid and reliable assessment tool for NSP in Korean patients, facilitating more accurate diagnosis and treatment evaluation compared with the NOSE scale. Level of Evidence: Not applicable.