Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Singapore Malay and Tamil versions of the EQ-5D.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the validity of the Singaporean Malay and Tamil versions of the EQ-5D.


METHODS
The EQ- 5D was cross-culturally adapted and translated using an iterative process following standard guidelines. Consenting adult Malay- and Tamil-speaking subjects at a primary care facility in Singapore were interviewed using a questionnaire (including the EQ-5D, a single item assessing global health, the SF-8 and sociodemographic questions) in their respective language versions. Known-groups and convergent construct validity of the EQ-5D was investigated by testing 30 a priori hypotheses per language at attribute and overall levels.


RESULTS
Complete data were obtained for 94 Malay and 78 Indian patients (median age, 54 years and 51 years, respectively). At the attribute level, all 16 hypotheses were fulfilled with several reaching statistical significance (Malay: 4; Tamil: 5). At the overall level, 42 of 44 hypotheses related to the EQ-5D/ EQ-VAS were fulfilled (Malay: 22; Tamil: 20), with 21 reaching statistical significance (Malay: 9; Tamil: 12).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study among primary care patients, the Singapore Malay and Tamil EQ-5D demonstrated satisfactory known-groups and convergent validity.
Wee
Hwee-Lin
HL
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Loke
Wai-Chiong
WC
Li
Shu-Chuen
SC
Fong
Kok-Yong
KY
Cheung
Yin-Bun
YB
Machin
David
D
Luo
Nan
N
Thumboo
Julian
J
D000069:Acculturation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007802:Language; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*