Introduction
The Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) is a 30-item self-reported measure of how rhinosinusitis affects patients' physical, emotional and functional well-being. Michael S. Benninger and Brent A. Senior published it in 1997 in the Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and has received about 410 citations.
The RSDI was developed specifically for patients with rhinosinusitis. This guide explains its content, scoring, reliability evidence and translated versions.
Key Features of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI)
Purpose and Use
The RSDI evaluates the self-perceived impact of rhinosinusitis on physical, emotional and functional well-being. In addition, it assesses disease-specific outcomes.
Target Population
The RSDI is intended for adults aged 18 and older with rhinosinusitis.
Structure
The final RSDI contains 30 items about how nasal and sinus problems affect daily life, including:
Nasal obstruction or stuffiness, rhinorrhea and purulent drainageFacial pain or pressure and headacheRecurrent sinus infectionsLimits on physical, emotional, social and functional activitiesScoring Method
Respondents rate each item on a 0–4 scale, from 0 (never) to 4 (always). The article reports responses on this 0–4 scale for all 30 items of the final version. No cut-off scores are reported.
Administration Format
The RSDI is a self-reported questionnaire that patients complete themselves in less than 5 minutes.
Applications of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI)
The RSDI supports clinical care and research:
Disease impact: describing the physical, emotional and functional burden of rhinosinusitis.Outcome assessment: measuring disease-specific outcomes.Research: distinguishing patients with rhinosinusitis or rhinitis from controls in studies.Languages and availability
Besides the original English version, researchers have validated the RSDI in:
Arabic: translation, validation and cultural adaptationTurkish: a reliability and validity study (Erbek et al., 2007, Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtisas Dergisi)Yoruba (Nigeria): translation and validation for use in NigeriaFor permission to use the RSDI, contact the developers.
Reliability and Validity
The original study found high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95) and strong test–retest reproducibility. Moreover, the RSDI distinguished patients with rhinosinusitis or rhinitis from controls.
Validation studies:
The development of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (1997): study linkTranslation, validation and cultural adaptation of the RSDI and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey into Arabic (2018): study linkTranslation and validation of the RSDI for use in Nigeria (2017): study linkLimitations and Considerations
Keep these points in mind:
Disease-specific: the RSDI was developed specifically for patients with rhinosinusitis.No cut-off scores: no cut-off values are reported.Self-report: scores reflect the patient's own perception of impact.Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
The RSDI began as a preliminary 36-item alpha version, which the developers refined into the final 30-item beta version. These questionnaires are related:
Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS)Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)31-Item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure (RSOM-31)Additional Resources
The original article: linkFor inquiries, contact Dr. Michael S. Benninger, MD, at the Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute.Browse more ENT questionnaires in the ResRef database.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the RSDI measure?The RSDI measures the self-perceived impact of rhinosinusitis on physical, emotional and functional well-being, including symptoms such as obstruction, drainage, facial pain and headache.
How is the RSDI scored?Each of the 30 items is rated from 0 (never) to 4 (always). Higher ratings indicate that the problem occurs more often. No cut-off scores are reported.
How long does the RSDI take?Patients complete the RSDI in less than 5 minutes, which makes it practical for routine clinical use.
How reliable is the RSDI?The original study found high internal consistency (alpha = 0.95) and strong test–retest reproducibility, and it distinguished patients from controls.
A Word from ResRef About the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI)
The RSDI is a brief, disease-specific self-reported outcomes instrument for assessing the physical, emotional, and functional impact of rhinosinusitis. The original study found high internal consistency, strong test-retest reproducibility, and the ability to distinguish patients with rhinosinusitis/rhinitis from controls. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and was developed specifically for patients with rhinosinusitis.
References
Benninger, M. S., & Senior, B. A. (1997). The Development of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index. Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 123(11), 1175–1179. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1997.01900110025004Aldrees, T., Almubarak, Z., Hassouneh, B., Albosaily, A., Aloulah, M., Almasoud, M., & Alsaleh, S. (2018). Translation, validation, and cultural adaptation of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey into Arabic. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 38(3), 159–166. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2018.159Asoegwu, C. N., Nwawolo, C. C., & Okubadejo, N. U. (2017). Translation and validation of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index for use in Nigeria. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 274(7), 2765–2771. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-017-4518-7