Validation of a Spanish version of the Spine Functional Index.

Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas,Charles P Gabel

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-12-96

Abstract

BackgroundThe Spine Functional Index (SFI) is a recently published, robust and clinimetrically valid patient reported outcome measure.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was the adaptation and validation of a Spanish-version (SFI-Sp) with cultural and linguistic equivalence.MethodsA two stage observational study was conducted. The SFI was cross-culturally adapted to Spanish through double forward and backward translation then validated for its psychometric characteristics. Participants (n = 226) with various spine conditions of >12 weeks duration completed the SFI-Sp and a region specific measure: for the back, the Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) and Backache Index (BADIX); for the neck, the Neck Disability Index (NDI); for general health the EQ-5D and SF-12. The full sample was employed to determine internal consistency, concurrent criterion validity by region and health, construct validity and factor structure. A subgroup (n = 51) was used to determine reliability at seven days.ResultsThe SFI-Sp demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.85) and reliability (r = 0.96). The factor structure was one-dimensional and supported construct validity. Criterion specific validity for function was high with the RMQ (r = 0.79), moderate with the BADIX (r = 0.59) and low with the NDI (r = 0.46). For general health it was low with the EQ-5D and inversely correlated (r = −0.42) and fair with the Physical and Mental Components of the SF-12 and inversely correlated (r = −0.56 and r = −0.48), respectively. The study limitations included the lack of longitudinal data regarding other psychometric properties, specifically responsiveness.ConclusionsThe SFI-Sp was demonstrated as a valid and reliable spine-regional outcome measure. The psychometric properties were comparable to and supported those of the English-version, however further longitudinal investigations are required.

Highlights

Patient reported outcome (PRO) measures [1,2] are a required and integral part of the patient health management process
The findings showed preferable clinimetric properties to the Functional Rating Index [10] for the whole spine [7]
The translation to a Spanish version was warranted as it would support the comparable findings for the functional index series that include the upper limb [5] and lower limb [7], each of which was found to be preferable to recognized and advocated English criterion PROs both within the original development studies and within independent research that included Spanish and other language translated versions [11,12,13]

Summary

Introduction

Patient reported outcome (PRO) measures [1,2] are a required and integral part of the patient health management process. The PROs provide objective responses on status and function that assist clinicians, surgeons and researchers to track a patients progress and determine if status has changed These changes, or the lack, can be a of management has been adopted and progressed in musculoskeletal medicine over the last two decades, there has been a gradual shift from condition or disease specific measures towards the use of region specific PROs. These changes, or the lack, can be a of management has been adopted and progressed in musculoskeletal medicine over the last two decades, there has been a gradual shift from condition or disease specific measures towards the use of region specific PROs These regional tools reflect the status and any changes within the three key kinetic-chain regions of the upper limb [5], lower [6] limb and spine [7]. The Spine Functional Index (SFI) is a recently published, robust and clinimetrically valid patient reported outcome measure

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