Validation of the Chinese version of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory (SXI)

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the Chinese version of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory (SXI).

Methods: The English SXI was translated into Chinese, cross-cultural adaptation and pilot tested. The final Chinese version of SXI was tested in a consecutive sample of 212 patients with xerostomia. The reliability of the Chinese version of SXI was determined through internal consistency and test-retest methods. The construct validity of SXI was analysed by content validity, construct validity, and convergent validity.

Results: Cronbach's alpha value for the SXI score was 0.798, and the test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient value for the SXI score was 0.837. Construct validity was proved by the presence of one-factor structure that accounted for 57.68 % of the variance and fitted well into the model. The correlation between the total score of the SXI and the global oral health question was 0.75, indicating very good correlation (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidence concerning validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the SXI. The results provide initial evidence that the SXI may be a useful tool for the mainland Chinese xerostomia patients for both clinical and epidemiologic researches.