Adapted simplified Chinese (mainland) version of Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire

Abstract

Study design: Validation study to define validity and reliability of an adapted and translated questionnaire.

Objective: This study attempted to validate the traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) version of the modified Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Outcomes Instrument, SRS-22, into simplified Chinese for use in mainland China.

Summary of background data: Although a traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) adaptation of the SRS-22 has been previously validated, no culturally adapted, validated SRS-22 exists for use in mainland China.

Methods: Adhering to International Quality of Life Assessment Project guidelines, the adapted traditional Chinese SRS-22 was translated into simplified Chinese while referencing the original English questionnaire. To examine the psychometric properties and clinical application of the adapted simplified Chinese SRS-22, a survey was conducted in a group of randomly selected 87 patients previously surgically treated at an outpatient clinic. Reliability assessment of the simplified Chinese version of the SRS-22 was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha and intraclass coefficient (ICC) values. Concurrent validity was evaluated by comparing SRS-22 domains with relevant domains of the simplified Short-Form-36 questionnaire; correlation was made using Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results: Cronbach's alpha, applied to each of the 22 questions of the adapted SRS-22, revealed very satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80-0.89) for function/activity and pain, and good consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.50-0.79) for the remaining domains. The test/retest reproducibility was found to be good (ICC > or =0.40-0.75) in the function/activity domain, and excellent (ICC > or =0.75) in the remaining domains. In terms of concurrent validity, 3 domains had excellent correlation, while 10 had good correlation, and 21 had moderate correlation.

Discussion: The authors report the validation of a simplified Chinese SRS-22 for use in mainland China, which is culturally relevant, reliable, repeatable, psychometrically sound, and suitable for immediate clinical use.