Validation of the Swedish translation of LPR-HRQL.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to adapt the Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Health- Related Quality of Life questionnaire (LPR-HRQL) to Swedish and evaluate its psychometric properties in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).


METHODS
The psychometric validation included 228 patients with suspected LPR who had previously undergone a 2-level 24-hour pH examination and who answered a mail-distributed set of questionnaires. The patients were divided into 2 comparable groups according to the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) cut-off score: 126 patients with RSI score between 0-13 (defined as normal) and 102 patients with RSI score >13 (defined as abnormal, i.e. having LPR disease).


RESULTS
LPR-HRQL was adapted to Swedish using a formal forward-backward translation method with input from expert groups (patients and physicians). Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of LPR-HRQL were evaluated by using factor analysis to explore the factor structure. Convergent and discriminant validity was determined by using the questionnaires RSI and Short Form-36 (SF-36). The psychometric tests performed fulfilled the criteria for structural integrity, validity and reliability, mostly confirming the results obtained in the original LPR-HRQL version.


CONCLUSIONS
The Swedish translated version of LPR-HRQL proved to be a statistically valid instrument with which to assess HRQL in patients with LPR disease, and will be further tested in prospective studies.
Andersson
Olle
O
Department of Otolaryngology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden. olof.l.andersson@vgregion.se
Ryden
Anna
A
Ruth
Magnus
M
Ylitalo Moller
Riitta
R
Finizia
Caterina
C
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014177:Translations