Validation of the Skindex-16 questionnaire in patients with skin diseases in Morocco

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the original version of the Skindex-16 questionnaire from English to Moroccan Arabic language, refining its terms and adapting it to Moroccan culture. METHODS: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, the questionnaire was tested on skin diseases patients. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's α coefficient, the test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by examining item convergent and divergent validity. RESULTS: The questionnaire was administered to 120 patients. The mean age of patients was 39 years (SD: 16), 49.6% were married. 76.9% of all participants lived in an urban area. The average time to complete the Skindex-16 questionnaire was 5 min. Questionnaire reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient, in which the values were all > 0.7. All items exceeded the 0.4 criterion for convergent validity. CONCLUSION: In general, the findings of this study indicated that the authors have developed a semantically equivalent translation of Skindex-16 into Moroccan Arabic. It is a reliable and valid measure of the effects of skin disease on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.