Cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Malayalam version of the Berlin questionnaire

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Berlin questionnaire into Malayalam.

Methods: The cultural adaptation process included translation, expert review, and pre-testing with 20 participants. Psychometric properties were assessed in 100 participants who completed the Malayalam Berlin questionnaire (M-BQ), underwent polysomnography, and provided sociodemographic and clinical data. Reliability, criterion validity, and psychometric properties were evaluated compared to Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI).

Results: The M-BQ presented conceptual and cultural equivalence. Reliability assessed using Cronbach's alpha was 0.61. The instrument showed a sensitivity of 83.05%, 54.24%, 30.51%, and specificity of 78.05%, 97.56%, 100% for the risk stratification of obstructive sleep apnea according to the AHI scores.

Conclusion: The study confirmed the reliability and validity of the Malayalam version of the Berlin Questionnaire in the study population.

Keywords: Berlin questionnaire; obstructive sleep apnea; polysomnography; reliability; validity.