Development and validation of an Arabic vitiligo impact patient scale short form version

TL;DR

This study developed and validated a short Arabic version of a tool to assess the quality of life for vitiligo patients.

Contribution

The paper introduces a validated and reliable Arabic version of the VIPs-SF for vitiligo patients.

Findings

The AR-VIPs-SF showed excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability.

AR-VIPs-SF scores correlated significantly with depression and quality of life measures.

Patient characteristics like skin type and limb involvement influenced AR-VIPs-SF scores.

Abstract

There are few tools evaluating vitiligo patients’ quality of life. A vitiligo impact patient scale short form (VIPs-SF) was developed in English.

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable Arabic (AR) VIPs-SF version.

This cross-sectional study included 425 vitiligo patients. The VIPs-SF was translated into Arabic and was self-administered to patients according to their skin phototype. Patients also filled the AR-Dermatology Life Quality Index and the 9-question Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ-9). AR-VIPs-SF reliability, dimensional structure, and construct validity were assessed.

Both fair skin and dark skin AR-VIPs-SF had an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.92 and 0.91) and a good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.82 and 0.81). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated acceptable fit based on comparative fit index/Tucker–Lewis index/standardized root mean square residual values, although χ2 was significant, as expected with a large sample size. There were significant positive correlations between AR-VIPs-SF total scores and either PHQ-9 or Dermatology Life Quality Index scores (P < .001). Fair skin, married patients, upper limb involvement, higher Dermatology Life Quality Index, and PHQ9 scores were associated with higher VIPs-SF total score.

Absence of a discriminant validity assessment and comparison of AR-VIPs-SF to other vitiligo quality of life questionnaires. Responsiveness of AR-VIPs-SF to treatment should also be assessed.

Arabic VIPs-SF proved valid and reliable.

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