Validation of the Hungarian version of the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire

Purpose: To create a cross-culturally adapted and clinically valid Hungarian version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ).

Methods: After the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process, a total of 133 patients were included into the quality measurement study. Validity and reliability domains of the Hungarian RMQ were tested following the COSMIN guideline. Differences between clinically different patient groups were measured. Correlations of the RMQ with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF assessment (WHOQoL) and pain were also calculated. To assess the reliability dimension, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was determined and the test-retest method was used to calculate the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC).

Results: Patients indicated for surgery or having neurological deficit had significantly higher RMQ scores. RMQ strongly correlated with pain (r = 0.61), ODI (r = 0.81) and physical subscale of WHOQoL (r = -0.7). Reliability of the Hungarian RMQ was expressed with a Cronbach's α of 0.87, ICC of 0.91 (p < 0.001) and SEM and MDC as 1.71 and 4.74 points, respectively.

Conclusions: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the RMQ into Hungarian language was successful resulting in a reliable and valid measurement tool with good psychometric properties. Implications for Rehabilitation Low back pain (LBP) related disability is a big health, social and economical problem in industrial countries. Correct evaluation of spine related disability can be performed using valid and reliable national versions of condition specific patient reported questionnaires such as the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ). After the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hungarian RMQ, it can be reliably used for the evaluation of LBP patients and for their follow-up during a rehabilitation process.