Qualities of Sore Throat Index (QuaSTI): Measuring Descriptors of Sore Throat in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Patients with pharyngitis often describe various sensory, affective and evaluative pain qualities. Using an 11-word/phrase index, the Qualities of Sore Throat Index (QuaSTI), we characterized throat symptoms and evaluated changes in a randomized controlled trial (NCT01986361).Patients received a single flurbiprofen 8.75 mg (n = 101) or placebo (n = 21) lozenge and rated throat soreness at baseline and regular intervals over 3 h, and the QuaSTI at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 h post-treatment.The QuaSTI distinguished active drug from placebo and detected clinically important (≥2-point) changes over 3 h. Mean change from baseline over 3 h was significantly greater for flurbiprofen (154%) than placebo (p < 0.05).The QuaSTI is a sensitive instrument for measuring therapeutic effects in patients with pharyngitis.