Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS)

Inge Van Den Akker-Scheek,Martin Stevens,Inge Hf Reininga,Arnoud Seldentuis

doi:10.1186/1471-2474-14-183

Inge Van Den Akker-Scheek, Martin Stevens + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-14-183

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Abstract

BackgroundThe Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) is a patient-reported questionnaire measuring symptoms and functional limitations of the foot and ankle. Aim is to translate and culturally adapt the Dutch version of the FAOS and to investigate internal consistency, validity, repeatability and responsiveness.MethodsAccording to the Cross Cultural Adaptation of Self-Report Measures guideline, the FAOS was translated into Dutch. Eighty-nine patients who had undergone an ankle arthroscopy, ankle arthrodesis, ankle ligament reconstruction or hallux valgus correction completed the FAOS, FFI, WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires and were included in the validity study. Sixty-five of them completed the FAOS a second time to determine repeatability. Responsiveness was analysed in an additional 15 patients who were being treated for foot or ankle problems.ResultsInternal consistency of the FAOS is high (Cronbach’s alphas varying between 0.90 and 0.96). Repeatability can be considered good, with ICC’s ranging from 0.90 to 0.96. Construct validity can be classified as good with moderate-to-high correlations between the FAOS subscales and subscales of the FFI (0.55 to 0.90), WOMAC (0.57 to 0.92) and SF-36 subscales physical functioning, pain, social functioning and role-physical (0.33 to 0.81). Low standard response means were found for responsiveness (0.0 to 0.4).ConclusionsThe results of this study show that the Dutch version of the FAOS is a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess symptoms and functional limitations of the foot and ankle.

Highlights

The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) is a patient-reported questionnaire measuring symptoms and functional limitations of the foot and ankle
The English version of the FAOS was translated into Dutch by two Dutch native speakers who are fluent in English
The Dutch FAOS was tested in eight patients presenting themselves with various foot/ankle problems at the outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, the Netherlands

Summary

Introduction

The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) is a patient-reported questionnaire measuring symptoms and functional limitations of the foot and ankle. The societal impact of complaints of the musculoskeletal system can be considered high due to the physical limitations that people encounter and the absenteeism from work [2]. This is reflected in the costs involved for healthcare and society in general. Musculoskeletal disorders account for 6.0% of the cost of healthcare facilities in the Netherlands, where a 14.9% prevalence of foot and ankle problems is reported [2]. In recent years more patient-reported questionnaires have been developed that are increasingly used to gain insight into the complaints of patients and

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