Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Assessment of Psychometric Properties of Nepalese Version of Skindex-16

Abstract

Introduction: Assessment of the quality of life is an important aspect of managing skin diseases. The tools to measure the health related quality of life are still scarce in our country. We have planned to add one useful and widely used tool in the local language. The main objective of this study was to translate English version of skindex-16 in Nepali language and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: Standard protocol was followed to translate the English version of Skindex-16 into Nepali language after due permission from the Mapi Trust. The translated version was completed by the patients in the out-patient unit of dermatology department, which was subjected to statistical validation. Some participants completed the same questionnaire in seven to ten days gap. Cronbach’s, Intra-Class correlation, Pearson’s correlation and factor analysis were performed for validation of newly translated Skindex-16 version. Results: In total 190 people were enrolled in this study, 92 (48.4%) were males. One hundred and nineteen of the total participants had inflammatory conditions, 8 had facial pigmentation and remaining 63 had a solitary non-inflammatory skin lesions. Overall Cronbach’s was 0.91, for items related to symptoms it was 0.74, for emotions .91 and for functioning .86. The mean inter-item correlation coefficient was 0.403, the Intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.918 and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.929 (P value <.001). The Principal component analysis derived three factors and the items loaded on these factors satisfactorily. Conclusion: The Nepali version of Skindex-16 is a well translated and validated tool to measure the health related quality of life in skin diseases.