Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the multiple sclerosis quality of life questionnaire

• Published in: Neurology India Vol. 55; no. 4; pp. 369 - 375
• Main Authors: Ghaem, H, Haghighi, A Borhani, Jafari, P, Nikseresht, AR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India 01-10-2007; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis; Disability Evaluation; Evaluation; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Iran - epidemiology; Language; Male; Marital Status; Middle Aged; MSQoL-54, multiple sclerosis, reliability, validity; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - classification; Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology; Multiple Sclerosis - psychology; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Older people; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Reliability; Reproducibility of Results; Sleep - physiology; Social aspects; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Validity; Young Adult; Iran; United States
• ISSN: 0028-3886; 1998-4022
• DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.33316

Background and Aims: To translate and test the reliability and validity
of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQoL-54) in
Iranian MS patients. Setting and Design: Using a standard
"forward-backward" translation, cognitive debriefing and cultural
adaptation procedure, the English version of the MSQoL-54 was
translated to Persian which is the Iranian official language.
Materials and Methods: The subjects were multiple sclerosis (MS)
patients referred to Motaharri clinic, Shiraz, South of Iran.
Demographic data were recorded. Epidemiological data concerning MS
type, duration of the disease, Functional System Score (FSS) and
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of patients were also provided
by a qualified neurologist. Statistical Analysis: The reliability of
the questionnaire was assessed by Cronbach′s alpha coefficient.
Construct validity was assessed through factor analysis. Factor
analysis was performed to determine that the Persian version is a
two-dimensional measure including physical and mental parameters.
Results: Multiple sclerosis patients (female:106 (75.2%), male:35
(24.8%)), with a mean±SD age of 32.2±9.8 years were enrolled
in the study. Cronbach′s α was 0.962. There were no
significant differences between each item and the mean of physical and
mental scores of MSQoL-54, regarding sex, marital status and education.
There was a negative significant correlation between EDSS and physical
health, role limitation due to physical problems, pain, energy, health
perception, social function, cognitive function, health distress,
overall Quality of Life. The scaling success rates were 100%,
demonstrating convergent validity of each scale. Factor analysis
confirmed the construct validity of the questionnaire. Conclusions:
The Persian version of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire has a good structural
characteristic, it is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used
for measuring the effect of MS on the Quality of Life.