Abstract
BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a top musculoskeletal problem and a substantial cause of socioeconomic burden internationally. The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) is a useful screening tool to manage patients with LBP but it is unavailable in Thai. Therefore, the aims of this study were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the SBST into a Thai version (SBST-TH) and validate its psychometric properties (e.g., factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, agreement, convergent validity and discriminative validity).MethodsTranslation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SBST into Thai version were conducted according to standard guidelines. A total of 200 participants with non-specific LBP were invited to complete the SBST, visual analogue scale for pain intensity, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire, pain catastrophising scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale and the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire. Thirty participants completed the SBST-TH twice with an interval of 48 h to evaluate test-retest reliability.ResultsFactor analysis demonstrated two (physical and psychological) components for the SBST-TH (39.38% of the total variance). The Cronbach’s alpha (0.86 for total score and 0.76 for psychosocial subscore) represent satisfactory internal consistency. The acceptability of intraclass correlation coefficient was found in the total (0.73) and subscore (0.79). The areas under the curve (AUC) for the total score ranged 0.67–0.85 and 0.66–0.75 for subscore. The excellent discriminative validity was observed (AUC = 0.85, 95% confidence interval = 0.72, 0.97) between the total score of the SBST-TH and disability (RMDQ). Spearman’s correlation coefficients represented moderate to strong correlation (0.32–0.56) between the SBST-TH and all questionnaires. The findings suggest a good relationship between the SBST-TH and disability and quality of life. Owing to the results from the convergent and discriminative validity, construct validity of the SBST-TH can be supported. The minimal detectable changes of the total score and subscore were 2.04 and 1.60, respectively. Significant floor and ceiling effects were not found in the SBST-TH.ConclusionThe SBST-TH was successfully translated and adapted. It is a valid and reliable tool to classify Thai patients with non-specific LBP into low, moderate and high risks for chronicity.Trial registrationTCTR20191009005#.
Highlights
Low back pain (LBP) is a top musculoskeletal problem and a substantial cause of socioeconomic burden internationally
The findings demonstrated that the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) can be used to reduce disability and cost of management in patients with LBP, approximately £675 per one patient for socioeconomics burden and approximately £34.39 for the health services [10]
The findings suggest that the SBST into a Thai version (SBST-TH) had satisfactory reliability and validity in Thai patients with non-specific LBP
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) is a top musculoskeletal problem and a substantial cause of socioeconomic burden internationally. Low back pain (LBP) is a top musculoskeletal problem internationally [1] and a substantial cause for disability [2], especially non-specific LBP [3]. Individuals with non-specific LBP can experience pain, functional limitation and reduced quality of life (QoL). This can lead to socioeconomic burden internationally. In the US, approximately $70 billion of the indirect cost is spent in managing LBP. Around £4.1 and £3.1 billion are the costs of LBP management in Switzerland [4] and the Netherlands [5], respectively. LBP is reported as the second most common musculoskeletal problem, following soft tissue disorders [6]
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