Validity of the Thai Version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory: Correlation with SF-36
Pornthep Kasemsiri MD1, Kwanchanok Yimtae MD1 Attawit Somsap MD1, Somchai Srirompotong MD1, Suwanna Arunpongpaisal MD2
Affiliation : 1 Department of Otolaryngorhinology, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Department of Psychiatry, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To study the validity of Thai-Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI], and correlation with SF-36 (Thai version).
Materials and Methods : A descriptive prospective study was conducted from March 8th, 2010, to November 19th, 2012, in
Neuro-Otology clinic, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. THI was translated to
Thai language. Furthermore, the correlation between Thai-THI and Thai SF-36 was assessed.
Results : 297 patients with tinnitus were interviewed despite the fact that the Thai-THI questionnaire was completed by 295
patients. Only, 289 patients completed both the Thai-THI and Thai SF-36 questionnaires. The Thai-THI allowed good
internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.94, 0.87, 0.89, and 0.67 for the overall scale, functional,
emotional, and catastrophic domains, respectively. Patients in the severe and catastrophic groups of Thai-THI had significantly
poorer Thai SF-36 scores than other groups in all the domains (p<0.001); whereas patients in the moderate group of Thai-
THI had poor Thai SF-36 scores in the domains of general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotion, and mental health
(p<0.001).
Conclusion : The Thai-THI maintained its validity of the original version in all the domains. Most patients with tinnitus fell
in the moderate to catastrophic groups that showed the poorest quality of life; thus, psychological effects of tinnitus should
be considered in the management of symptoms.
Keywords : Tinnitus, SF-36, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Questionnaire
