Linguistic adaptation and validation of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) in an elderly Japanese population.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to develop a Japanese version of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and validate its use in an elderly Japanese population.


METHODS
The GOHAI scale was translated in a standardized way consisting of forward translation, pilot study, and backward translation. Psychometric properties of the final version were assessed on 175 participants (mean age: 70.0 years, SD 6.4).


RESULTS
The response rate was more than 98% for each item. The reliability in terms of a Cronbach's alpha value was 0.89. The mean GOHAI scores were significantly lower for participants with poor perceived oral health (P<0. 001) or poor perceived general health (P<0.01). Significant correlations were observed between the GOHAI scores and the general health or physical functioning scores of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study showed that the Japanese version of the GOHAI was psychometrically valid in an elderly sample population.
Naito
Mariko
M
Department of Preventive Medicine/Biostatistics and Medical Decision-Making, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. mnaito@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Suzukamo
Yoshimi
Y
Nakayama
Takeo
T
Hamajima
Nobuyuki
N
Fukuhara
Shunichi
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000145:classification; D007802:Language; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000145:classification; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept