Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ-15).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to validate the short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ-15) in Chinese patients with dentine hypersensitivity (DH).


METHODS
In total, 200 patients with DH were recruited to complete the questionnaire. The reliability of the DHEQ-15 was evaluated using internal consistency and test-retest methods. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify domains of the DHEQ-15. Convergent validity was determined by analyzing the correlation between DHEQ-15 subscale scores and the global rating of oral health question.


RESULTS
Cronbach's alpha value (internal reliability) for the total DHEQ-15 score was 0.934 (higher to the original DHEQ-15' 0.924), and the intraclass correlation coefficient value (test-retest reliability) was 0.894 (lower to the original DHEQ-15' 0.939). The EFA identified three components with eigenvalues >1, explaining 53.0, 17.1, and 12.3% of the variance, respectively, accounting for a total of 82.4% of the variance. The three components named 'restrictions' (three items), 'changes in eating habits' (six items), and 'emotions and identity' (six items). In terms of convergent validity, the DHEQ-15 subscale was significant highly negatively correlated to the global oral health rating.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide initial evidence that the DHEQ-15 can be properly used for assessment of patients with DH in China.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, No. 7, Shang Qing Si Road, Chongqing, 401147, China, songlinhecqmu@163.com.
Song-lin
SL
He
Jin-hua
JH
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult