Reliability and Validity of the Simplified Chinese Early-onset Scoliosis Quality of Life 24-item Questionnaire.

Abstract

Questionnaire translation and validation. The aim of this study was to translate the Early-Onset Scoliosis 24-Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) into simplified Chinese and to evaluate the reliability and validity of this questionnaire in children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) in mainland China. The EOSQ-24 is a validated quality of life questionnaire in children with EOS and has been translated into multiple languages and used worldwide. However, there is currently no simplified Chinese version available for use in mainland China. The English version of the EOSQ-24 questionnaire was translated into simplified Chinese based on the recommendations of the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQoLA) group. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using test-retest reliability and internal consistency, and construct validity was examined through factor analysis. Hundred childrenwith EOS were enrolled in the study. To assess the test-retest reliability of the scale, the parents or caregivers of 38 of participants repeated the questionnaire after 2 weeks. Test-retest reliability was excellent overall (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.935) and ranged from moderate to excellent for each domain (ICC = 0.681-0.945). The overall internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α = 0.893) and had a variable range for each domain (Cronbach α = 0.560-0.889). Factor analysis was performed, and seven principal components were extracted that accounted for 70.1% of the variance. The simplified Chinese version of the EOSQ-24 scale has acceptable reliability and construct validity, and it can be used for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL), caretaker burden, and satisfaction for children with EOS in mainland China.Level of Evidence: 3.