Reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity of Guajarati version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

The most common instruments developed to assess the functional status of patients with Non specific low back pain is the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Clinical and epidemiological research related to low back pain in the Gujarati population would be facilitated by the availability of well-established outcome measures.

AIM

To find the reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity of the Gujarati version of the RMDQ for use in Non Specific Chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity study of Gujarati version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ).

METHODOLOGY

Thirty out patients with Non Specific Chronic low back pain were assessed by the RMDQ. Reliability is assessed by using internal consistency and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal construct validity is assessed by RASCH Analysis and external construct validity is assessed by association with pain and spinal movement. Clinical calculator was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

Internal consistency of the RMDQ is found to be adequate (> 0.65) at both times, with high ICC's also at both time points. Internal construct validity of the scale is good, indicating a single underlying construct. Expected associations with pain and spinal movement confirm external construct validity. The Sensitivity and Specificity at cut off point of 0.5 was 80% and 84% with respectively positive predictive value (PPV) of 83.33% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.76%. The Questionnaire is at the ordinal level.

CONCLUSION

The RMDQ is a one-dimensional, ordinal measure, which works well in the Gujarati population.