Moroccan Version Research Articles

Psychometric Validation of a Moroccan Version of the 22-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test.

The objective of this study paper was to culturally adapt and validate the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire for Moroccan Arabic speaking patients. Prospective cohort study. Tertiary referral center; Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco. The SNOT-22 was conducted in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) undergoing sinonasal surgery and in healthy volunteers, from January 2012 to December 2013. It was translated into Moroccan Arabic language. To evaluate this questionnaire, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, responsiveness to treatment, and validity were analyzed. Preoperative SNOT-22 scores were completed by 88 patients. Six-month postoperative SNOT-22 scores were available for 74 patients. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the SNOT-22 was 0.968, indicating high internal consistency. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.993, indicating high reliability when administering the instrument on repeated occasions. The Moroccan version of the SNOT-22 was able to highly discriminate between patients with CRS and group of healthy volunteers (P < .0001). There was a statistically significant reduction in patient reported SNOT-22 scores at 6 months after surgery (P < .0001). The present study has found the Moroccan version of SNOT-22 to be valid and easy to use with good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. It can be used to measure the impact of CRS on the patient's quality of life and may also be used to evaluate CRS treatment.

Quality of Life is More Affected in Psoriasis than Vitiligo: A Study of 40 Moroccan Patients

Background: Quality of life (QoL) assessment is becoming crucial in clinical trials, particularly with psoriasis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL by the Moroccan version of the DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) among psoriatic patients compared to vitiligo. Methods: This is a prospective study of patients aged 18 or older, who consulted at the dermatology clinic for psoriasis or vitiligo, between June 2012 and October 2012. The DLQI has been used in its Moroccan version validated and published. A high score indicates an impaired QoL. Results: Forty-Psoriatic subjects (12 Male (M), 28 Female (F)) and 28 consultants for vitiligo (5 Male (M), 23 Female (F)) completed the DLQI. The mean duration of psoriasis was 13±13 years. The main clinical type of psoriasis was plaque-type psoriasis in 19 cases (47%) followed by guttate psoriasis in 11 cases (27%). The mean Body Surface Area (BSA) was 19%. Uncovered areas were affected in psoriasis as follows: face 9 cases (22.5%), hand 11 cases (27.5%) and both 3 cases (7%). The mean PASI was 6.3±7. The total mean score of DLQI was 11.15±6.2 for psoriasis and 7.9±4.6 in vitiligo (p=0.017). DLQI high scores in psoriasis were significantly associated with female sex, uncovered areas involvement, disease extent areas (BSA) and low socioeconomic level. Conclusion: This study showed that psoriasis was associated with a great effect on QoL in outpatient subjects. QoL impairment in psoriasis was greater than in vitiligo.

Emerging Amazigh Feminist Nongovernmental Organizations

Emerging Amazigh Feminist Nongovernmental Organizations

Psychometric Properties of a Moroccan Version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure.

Background. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) is a widely used self-report measure for diabetes self-management. It is an interesting tool for practice and research. Objectives. To translate and culturally adapt the SDSCA to the Moroccan context and to assess psychometric properties of the adapted version among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. The Moroccan version was obtained following forward and backward translations. An expert panel issued a final version. The adapted version was administered to patients aged 30 years and older who have type 2 diabetes. Psychometric evaluation consisted of assessing validity through internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, item-to-scale and interitem correlations) and exploratory factor analysis and reproducibility (test-retest reliability). Results. Seventy-five participants were included. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.20 (diet) to 0.99 (exercise). Moderate to good interitem and item-to-scale correlations were found. Factor analysis resulted in a Moroccan SDSCA version consisting of 8 items, organized in four subscales that explained 89.6% of the variance: diet, exercise, blood sugar testing, and foot-care. Intraclass correlations ranged from 0.27 to 0.52 for subscales. Conclusion. This study provides preliminary evidence for suitability of use of the Moroccan SDSCA among type 2 diabetic patients in order to assess diabetes self-management.

Translation and validation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 into Moroccan Arabic for ENT head and neck cancer patients in Morocco.

Disease-specific quality of life (QOL) measures have enhanced the capacity of outcome measures to evaluate subtle changes and differences between groups. As many of the QOL measures have been developed in English, they require translation to ensure their usefulness in a multi-cultural and/or international society. Published guidelines provide formal methods to achieve cross-culturally comparable versions of a QOL tool. The aim of this study was to adapt the head and neck specific module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire) into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back translation and pretesting of the pre-final version, the translated version was submitted to a committee of professionals composed by otolaryngologists and epidemiologists. The psychometric properties were tested in patients with ENT cancer. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest reliability using interclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed by examining item convergent and divergent validity. It was also tested using Spearman's correlation between QLQ-H&N 35 scales and EQ-5D. The study was conducted in 120 patients. The Moroccan version was internally reliable, Cronbach's α ranged from 0.71 for "trouble with social contact" to 0.94 for "senses impairment", indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient, which ranged from 0.64 for "speech trouble" to 0.89 for "physical activities". The instrument demonstrated a good construct and concomitant validity. We have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire. The assessment of its measurement properties showed that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of cancer on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.

Dynamical contribution of mean potential vorticity pseudo-observations derived from MetOp/GOME2 ozone data into short-range weather forecast during high precipitation events

Satellites are uniquely capable of providing uniform data coverage globally. Motivated by such capability, this study builds on a previously described methodology that generates numerical weather prediction initial conditions from satellite total column ozone data. The methodology is based on two principal steps. Firstly, the studied linear regression between vertical (100hPa-500hPa) Mean Potential Vorticity (MPV) and MetOp/GOME2 total ozone data (O3) generates MPV pseudo-observations. Secondly, the 3D variational (3D-Var) assimilation method is designed to take into account MPV pseudo-observations in addition to conventional observations.After a successful assimilation of MPV pseudo-observations using a 3D-Var approach within the Moroccan version of the ALADIN limited-area model, the present study aims to assess the dynamical behavior of the short-range forecast at upper levels during heavy precipitation events (HPEs). It is found that MPV assimilation offers the possibility to internally monitor the model upper-level dynamics in addition to the use of Water Vapor Satellite images.

Writing Indigenous Vampires: Aboriginal Gothic or Aboriginal Fantastic?

The usual postmodern suspicions about diligently deciphering authorial intent or stridently seeking fixed meaning/s and/or binary distinctions in an artistic work aside, this self-indulgent essay pushes the boundaries regarding normative academic research, for it focusses on my own (minimally celebrated) published creative writing’s status as a literary innovation. Dedicated to illuminating some of the less common denominators at play in Australian horror, my paper recalls the creative writing process involved when I set upon the (arrogant?) goal of creating a new genre of creative writing: that of the ‘Aboriginal Fantastic’. I compare my work to the literary output of a small but significant group (2.5% of the population), of which I am a member: Aboriginal Australians. I narrow my focus even further by examining that creative writing known as Aboriginal horror. And I reduce the sample size of my study to an exceptionally small number by restricting my view to one type of Aboriginal horror literature only: the Aboriginal vampire novel, a genre to which I have contributed professionally with the 2011 paperback and 2012 e-book publication of That Blackfella Bloodsucka Dance! However, as this paper hopefully demonstrates, and despite what may be interpreted by some cynical commentators as the faux sincerity of my taxonomic fervour, Aboriginal horror is a genre noteworthy for its instability and worthy of further academic interrogation. (first paragraph)

Translation and validation of European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life Questionnaire -C30 into Moroccan version for cancer patients in Morocco

BackgroundUnderstanding the effects of cancer on the quality of life of affected patients is critical to clinical research as well as to optimal management and care. The aim of this study was to adapt the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back translation and pretesting of the pre-final version, the translated version was submitted to a committee of professionals composed by oncologists and epidemiologists. The psychometric properties were tested in patients with cancer. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and the test-retest reliability using interclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed by examining item-convergent and divergent validity. It was also tested using Spearman’s correlation between QLQ-C30 scales and EQ-5D.ResultsThe study was conducted in 125 patients. The Moroccan version was internally reliable, Cronbach’s α was 0.87 for the total scale and ranged from 0.34 to 0.97 for the subscales. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the test-retest reliability ranged from 0.64 for “social functioning” to 0.89 for “physical activities” subscales. The instrument demonstrated a good construct and concomitant validity.ConclusionsWe have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. The assessment of its measurement properties showed that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of cancer on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.

Validation of The Cardiff Acne Disability Index Questionnaire in Patients with Acne in Morocco

Background: Acne is a common distressing disease that can affect quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the original version of the Cardiff Acne Distability Index (CADI) questionnaire from English to Moroccan Arabic language. Methods: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, the questionnaire was tested on patients with acne. The participants’ number for the test and the retest were 120 and 60 respectively. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach’s α coefficient, the test–retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by examining correlation between severity through Acne Lesion Score Scale (ECLA) and QoL through Moroccan version of CADI. Results: The questionnaire was administered to 120 patients. The mean age of patients was 24 years (SD: 4), 85 % of all participants had a middle socio-economic level and only 2.3% patients who had a psychiatric history. The average time to complete the CADI questionnaire was 3 minutes. Questionnaire reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α coefficient, in which the values were all > 0.7. The ICC was satisfactory 0.97 (CI 95% [0.95-0.98]). There was no correlation between overall scores en ECLA and CADI (r=0, 008, p<0, 05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that we have developed a semantically equivalent translation of CADI into Moroccan Arabic to measure the effects of acne on the QoL in Moroccan patients.

Physical activity, functional ability, and disease activity in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic condition known to cause pain-related complications in youth and affect children's physical functioning. There is no data in Arabic children with JIA about the impact of illness upon their physical activity. The objective of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with JIA compared with a healthy population and to examine associations between PA, functional ability, and disease activity. Our study included patients with JIA and group control aged between 8 and 17 years. The diagnosis was used according to the International League of Association of Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria 2001. Sociodemographic data and clinical features were collected. Physical activity level and energy expenditure were assessed with a 1-day activity diary and the metabolic equivalent (MET), respectively. Functional ability was assessed with the Moroccan version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Disease activity was measured using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS). Fifty patients and 50 controls were included (mean ± SD age 11.5 ± 3.3 and 10.5 ± 3.8 years, respectively; p = 0.49) with masculine predominance n = 30 (59.6 %) and n = 29 (58 %), respectively (p = 0.26). The median disease duration was 4.3 years (2-5). The median analog scale (VAS) pain was 20 (10-40). Fourteen patients (28 %) had an active disease. Patient population consisted in majority of oligoarticular arthritis (28 %), 14 patients. The mean of energy expenditure and physical activity were significantly higher in the JIA group. The JIA group spent more time in bed and less time on moderate to vigorous PA than the control group. There is no significant relationship between PA, functional ability, and disease activity. Our study suggests that children and adolescents with JIA have low PA levels and are at risk of losing the benefits of PA. Low PA is not related to functional ability, disease duration, and disease activity in children and adolescent with JIA. A large cohort is necessary to confirm these results.

AB0973 Relationship between obesity, functionnal status and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Backgroundso as to analyze relationship between obesity, functionnal status and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis, we have included 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis, the WOMAC and the...

AB1153 Functional status assessed by the moroccan version of chaq in children with hemophilic arthropathy

ObjectivesWe aimed to assess functional status in children with hemophilic arthropathy and to search eventual factors related to this functional status.MethodsIn this cross sectional study, we included 25 children affected...

AB1154 Quality of life in children with haemophilic arthropathy. Assesment by euroqol

ObjectivesHaemophilia is traditionally considered to be a disease with a major impact on all aspects of quality of life (QoL). Our purpose is to explore quality of life in haemophilic...

AB0975 Quality of life in women suffering from knee osteoarthritis

Backgroundto evaluate the quality of life in women suffering from knee osteoarthritis, Consecutive outpatients consulting for primary knee OA were included in this cross sectional study. This study suggests a...

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Moroccan version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale

This study aims to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Moroccan version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QDS) and to investigate its reliability and validity in Moroccan patients with low back pain (LBP). The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the QDS were developed in agreement with published guidelines. The QDS was translated by use of the forward and backward translation procedure. After pretest, it was validated in 64 Moroccan patients with LBP. The QDS was recorded twice, at baseline visit and 72h later. Reproducibility was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland and Altman method. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach α coefficient. Ceiling and floor effects were assessed. Validity was measured by correlating the scores of the Moroccan QDS with visual analogue scale (VAS) for Pain, Disability VAS, Schober test, fingertip-floor measurement and the Moroccan version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) by means of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Association with gender and education level was also studied. Reliability was excellent with an ICC (type 2.1) of 0.959 (CI 95%: 0.934-0.975). The internal consistency was high with a Cronbach α of 0.979. The Bland and Altman method showed homogenous distribution of the differences, with no systematic trend. There were no floor or ceiling effects. The correlation between QDS and RMDQ was very good (r = 0.664; p ≤ 0.001). There was no correlation between QDS and the other variables. Accordingly, the Moroccan version of QDS has good reproducibility, internal consistency and validity for the assessment of disability in Moroccan-speaking patients with LBP.

The validity and reliability of the Moroccan version of the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire

The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R) is an updated version of the FIQ attempts to address the limitations of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). As there is no Moroccan version of the FIQ-R available, we aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of a Moroccan translation of the FIQR in Moroccan fibromyalgia (FM) patients. After translating the FIQR into Moroccan, it was administered to 80 patients with FM. All of the patients filled out the questionnaire together with Arabic version of short form-36 (SF-36). The tender-point count was calculated from tender points identified by thumb palpation. Three days later, FM patients filled out the Moroccan FIQR at their second visit. The test-retest reliability of the Moroccan FIQR questions ranged from 0.72 to 0.87. The test and retest reliability of total FIQR score was 0.84. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for FIQR visit 1 (the first assessment) and 0.92 for FIQR visit 2 (the second assessment), indicating acceptable levels of internal consistency for both assessments. Significant correlations for construct validity were obtained between the Moroccan FIQ-R total and domain scores and the subscales of the SF-36 (FIQR total versus SF-36 physical component score and mental component score were r = -0.69, P < 0.01 and r = -0.56, P < 0.01, respectively). The Moroccan FIQ-R showed adequate reliability and validity. This instrument can be used in the clinical evaluation of Moroccan and Arabic-speaking patients with FM.

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Moroccan version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Moroccan version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale

Rheumatoid factor and antibodies against citrullinated peptides in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis: association with disease parameters and quality of life

We aimed to evaluate the immunological status and its relationships with disease-related parameters of activity, severity and quality of life in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two hundred forty-five consecutive patients with RA were recruited. The following data were collected: demographic characteristics, disease duration (years), disease activity (evaluated by the disease activity score, DAS28), structural damage (evaluated by Sharp's method as modified by van der Heijde), functional disability (assessed by using the Moroccan version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ) and quality of life (by using the Arabic version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey: the SF-36). Immunological status (rheumatoid factor rate, RF) and antibodies against citrullinated peptides rate (ACPAs) by the Elisa method were examined. ACPAs were detected in 75.1% of patients with a mean rate of 79.2 ± 43.8 UI. RF was detected in 80.8% of patients with a mean rate of 80.1 ± 50.6UI. Patients with positive RF and ACPAs had higher disease activity, impaired functional ability, severe structural damage, more ocular symptoms and altered aspects of quality of life. In univariate analysis, higher levels of ACPAs were significantly correlated with the age at onset (r = 0.307), disease duration (r = 0.520), disease activity (DAS28) (r = 0.531), Sharp score (r = 0.431), and with the deterioration of all domains of SF-36 (for all p ≤ 0.01). RF levels were correlated with disease duration (r = 0.517), disease activity (r = 0.470), functional disability (r = 0.521), and the alteration of physical domains of SF-36 (for all p ≤ 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the main factors associated to ACPAs and RF levels were functional disability, structural damage and impaired QoL. Furthermore, using the SF-36 scores as dependent variables, the impairment of physical domains and the domain of vitality were significantly associated with ACPA levels while the decrease of the domain of physical function was associated with the level of RF. Our study suggests that the presence and the levels of ACPAs and RF in our RA patients are associated with more active disease, more severe joint damage, worst functional disability and altered aspects of quality of life.

Fatigue and severity of rheumatoid arthritis in Moroccan patients

The aim of this study was to assess fatigue aspects in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationships with disease-specific variables especially parameters of functional and structural severity. A total of 248 patients with RA were included. Patients' and disease characteristics were identified. Disease activity was measured clinically using physical examination, biologically and by the disease activity scores (DAS28). Radiographs were evaluated by using Sharp's method as modified by van der Heijde. Functional disability was measured by using the Moroccan version of Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Immunological abnormalities and treatment (doses and duration) were identified. Fatigue was evaluated by using a 0-100 visual analogue scale (VAS fatigue) and the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF). Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Arabic version of the generic instrument SF-36. The mean age of patients was 47.5 ± 11.7 years [25-72]; 37.5% of patients had a high activity of disease and 11.3% were in remission. The mean Sharp score was 107.13 ± 91, and the mean score of HAQ was 1.40 ± 0.63. All domains of QoL were deteriorated; 89.51% of our patients experienced fatigue. The mean total score of MAF was 30.21 ± 11.32. A low level of education, low socioeconomic status, atlantoaxial subluxation, hip involvement, the presence of a Sjögren syndrome, and cigarette smoking had a negative impact on fatigue scores. The severity of fatigue was correlated with the duration of RA, the intensity of joint pain, the activity of disease, the importance of structural damage, the degree of functional impairment, and the rate of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (CCP) antibodies (P < 0.05). Patients receiving methotrexate had better scores of fatigue. Also, severity of fatigue was correlated with the deterioration of all domains of QoL. Fatigue is a major issue for our patients with RA and must be included in the routine assessment of patients. In our sample, fatigue appears to be related to disease activity, functional disability, structural damage, and immunological status and had a negative impact on QoL.

Prevalence of overweight among Moroccan children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objective We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight among Moroccan children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods Fifty-eight patients with JIA according to the International League of Association of Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria were included consecutively in this study. The median age of patients was 11 ± 3.3 years (range 2–16). Overweight and obesity were defined by using the Body Mass Index (matched on age and sex and in reference to the French curves. Following data were collected: age, gender, age at onset, disease duration, subtype of JIA, functional disability (determined using the Moroccan version of Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire [CHAQ]), disease activity (assessed using a 0–10 visual analogical scale, the number of tender and swollen joints and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate); medical treatment and socioeconomic status of patients. Results Twenty-four patients (41.4%) were overweight, 13 (22.4%) were obese and 21(36.2%) have normal. Patients with normal weight, obese and overweight represented successively 16.7%, 33.3% and 50% of systemic forms, 33.3%, 8.3% and 58.3% of seronegative polyarticular forms, 40%, 40% and 20% of seropositive polyarticular forms, 36.4%, 27.3% and 36.4% of persistent oligoarticular forms, 75%, 25% and 0% of extensive oligoarticular forms and 57.1%, 0% and 42.9% of forms with arthritis and enthesitis. In our data, there was no psoriatic arthritis. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in older patients ( P = 0.01), with significant functional impairment ( P = 0.04) and with active disease (increased VAS) ( P = 0.005). There were no relationships with the subtype of JIA or with corticosteroid treatment ( P = 0.451). Conclusion Approximatively more than 60% of our patients were overweight. Severe functional limitation and active disease are the most correlated parameters with overweight. Better management of the activity and functional status of the disease seems to be of interest to prevent overweight in children with JIA. More studies with a larger number of patients seem to be necessary in order to confirm our results.