Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of multiple sclerosis quality of life questionnaire (MSQOL-54) in a Turkish multiple sclerosis sample

Abstract

Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive disease with multiple neurological impairments. The disease can also dramatically affect the health-related quality of life of patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the validation of the translated and cross-culturally adapted MSQOL-54 in 183 Turkish MS patients. Methods 183 adults classified as having definite MS patients were enrolled into the study. Patients were classified into four severity groups according to the expanded disability status scale (EDSS); group I (EDSS 0–4), group II (EDSS 4.5–5.5), group III (EDSS 6–6.5) and group IV (EDSS 7–8). MSQOL-54 questionnaire were translated and culturally adapted into Turkish. Associations between age, gender, disease duration, EDSS score, marital status, education and health insurance and the MSQOL-54 physical and mental health composite scores were determined. Results The mean age of the 183 patients (138 female and 45 male) was 39 ± 10 years. The questionnaire was well accepted but small cultural adaptations were required. EDSS scores showed significant associations with the MSQOL-54 physical and mental health composite scores. From the different EDSS groups only, the group I (EDSS 0–4) score was significantly associated with the physical health composite as well as the disease duration showed significant correlation with the physical and mental composite scores. None of the other EDSS groups and the other parameters showed correlation with physical health composite or mental health composite. Conclusion Assessment of quality of life of MS patients in addition to disease severity and disability level is important, because it provides unique information that is important to patients and to clinicians. A translation of an existing MS-targeted HRQOL measure from US English into Turkish was easily administered and well accepted in a Turkish MS sample.