Cross-cultural adaptation of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire into Chinese.
OBJECTIVE
We have previously validated the English version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire (SLEQOL) in our patients with lupus. Many of our Chinese patients are not fluent in English and therefore a Chinese version (SLEQOL-C) has been adapted for their use.


METHODS
Two independent translators translated the SLEQOL into Chinese. A consensus version was derived from both sets of translations. Back translation of this version was performed by another 2 independent translators who had neither been involved in the forward translation nor encountered the SLEQOL. The final version, SLEQOL-C, was finalized after rectifying the discrepancies revealed by the back translation. Linguistic validity was tested in open interviews with bilingual patients with lupus. The SLEQOL-C and SLEQOL were administered to patients to determine whether they displayed differential item functioning (DIF).


RESULTS
In general, most of the items in English could be expressed in Chinese precisely, although a few instructions had to be altered slightly to make them more idiomatic. The forward and back translations of the SLEQOL were accomplished without major difficulties. A total of 638 patients were interviewed (62.8% with the SLEQOL and 37.2% with the SLEQOL-C). Using DIF analysis, there was no detectable test bias due to language use after controlling for repeated observations, age, sex, and ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
The SLEQOL-C has semantic, idiomatic, and conceptual equivalence to the SLEQOL. The rigorous process of cross-cultural translation provides some measure of quality in the content validity.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore. Kok_Ooi_Kong@ttsh.com.sg
Kok Ooi
KO
Kong
Hsu Juang
HJ
Ho
Hwee Siew
HS
Howe
Bernard Yu Hor
BY
Thong
Tsui Yee
TY
Lian
Hiok Hee
HH
Chng
Khai Pang
KP
Leong
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires