ArticlePloS one2026
An ICF-based content analysis of the overlap between questionnaires assessing tinnitus distress and depressive symptoms.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionThe experience of tinnitus varies considerably among individuals, particularly in terms of perceived distress. Psychological factors play a major role in this variability, and numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between symptoms of depression and tinnitus distress. Both constructs are commonly assessed through self-report questionnaires. However, content overlap between these questionnaires can make it challenging to differentiate the constructs and interpret their relationship. Given the variation in content among questionnaires assessing tinnitus distress and depressive symptoms, a comprehensive examination of their similarities and differences is needed. This study therefore aims to systematically assess the content overlap of tinnitus distress and depressive symptom questionnaires using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Six validated, multi-item, self-report questionnaires measuring tinnitus distress (THI, TQ, mTQ, THQ, TRQ, TFI) and seven validated, multi-item, self-report depressive symptom questionnaires (BDI-II, HADS-D, SDS, PHQ-9, CES-D, SCL-90-R depression subscale, DASS-42 depression subscale) were included in the content analysis. The underlying concepts of all items of these questionnaires were linked to the most specific ICF categories based on established linking rules. The overlap between the tinnitus distress and depressive symptom questionnaires was analyzed based on the assigned second-level ICF categories.
resultsThe depressive symptom questionnaires demonstrated less diversity in ICF category coverage compared to the tinnitus distress questionnaires, with 14 versus 23 second-level ICF categories. Seven second-level categories were shared between tinnitus distress and depressive symptom questionnaires; energy and drive functions, sleep functions, attention functions, emotional functions, thought functions, interpersonal interactions and relationships, and recreation and leisure. The content analysis showed that, at the second-level ICF category, the TQ had the lowest degree of overlap with the depressive symptom questionnaires (11.54-26.92%), while the TRQ exhibited the highest (61.54-73.08%). Among the depressive symptom questionnaires, the SDS showed the least overlap with the tinnitus distress questionnaires (40-60%), whereas the DASS-42 depression subscale demonstrated the most overlap (85.71-100%).
conclusionThe overlap between tinnitus distress and depressive symptom questionnaires emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting assessment tools and interpreting their results, based on specific clinical or research goals. This content analysis can guide making decisions about this selection.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.