title: Linguistic adaptation and validation of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) in an elderly Japanese population.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzukamo
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamajima
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
mesh_terms: 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