Psychometric Validation of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Early Onset Scoliosis-24 Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24)

Abstract

Study Design. Questionnaire translation and validation. Objective. To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Early Onset Scoliosis-24 item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) into traditional Chinese, and to assess its validity, reliability and sensitivity in Southern-Chinese patients diagnosed with early onset scoliosis (EOS). Summary of Background Data. Relying on radiographs alone for assessing treatment outcomes in EOS patients is inadequate. To properly gauge health-related quality of life, a disease-specific instrument that assesses patient quality of life and the burden of primary caregivers is necessary. The EOSQ-24 was created for this purpose but it has not been adapted to the Chinese language. Methods. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original English EOSQ-24 were performed using the method of double forward and single backward translations, followed by a panel review. EOS patients of Southern-Chinese descent were recruited, via convenience sampling from a scoliosis specialty clinic. These patients' parents/caretakers were then administered the traditional Chinese EOSQ-24, Likert Scale regarding the understanding of completed EOSQ-24, and the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50) (Traditional Chinese). Reliability was analysed using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity of domains and sub-domains were assessed using Spearman's correlation test against CHQ-PF50 domains with similar constructs. Sensitivity of the EOSQ-24 scores was determined by performing known group comparisons. Results. A total of 100 EOS patients were recruited. A very good reliability was demonstrated (Cronbach's [alpha]: 0.896) and internal consistency of all domains was excellent (Cronbach's [alpha]: 0.829-0.919). Sub-domain scores of EOSQ-24 and CHQ-PF50 had significant correlations (p < 0.001), indicating a good construct validity. Conclusions. This is the first psychometric study to translate and adapt the EOSQ-24 questionnaire for Chinese EOS patients and it has been found to have satisfactory validity, reliability and sensitivity. It is a useful disease-specific instrument for assessing patients' quality of life and the burden of caregivers.