Objective: To elaborate an Arabic version of the NMSS in PD and to evaluate its validity as an instrument for measuring non-motor symptoms in Tunisian patients with PD. Background: Although non-motor symptoms (NMS) are frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD) and can dramatically influence the quality of life of patients, they remain poorly recognized in clinical practice. The Parkinson's Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) for the assessment of NMS in PD have recently been developed. This clinician based 30-item scale, have demonstrate its usefulness as a screening and diagnostic measure for NMS in many populations. Methods: A 4-steps strategy was used to elaborate the adapted version in arabic: a first step of translation (English to Arabic) was independantly elaborated by 2 translators; An inverse translation of the consensual version (Arabic to English) was also independantly elaborated by 2 translators. A comparative step between the 2 versions (original and re-translated) was made by an independent expert. Finally, a preliminary study including 30 Tunisians patients identified with the UKPDBB criteria for the diagnosis of idiopathic PD was conducted with the unanimously accepted version. Cronbach's αcoefficient and item-corrected total correlations were determined to ascertain internal consistency. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to identify associations with other variables as well as to analyze convergent validity with Beck, MMSE, PSQI, NPI, SCOPA scales. Results: The reliability of the adapted version was globally satisfying for total scale with a Cronbach's α-coefficient at 0,831. It was estimated to 0,81, 0,82 and 0,71 respectively for pain and sensibility, neurodegenerative and depression subscales. However, it was poor for cognitive subscale (α 5 0,3) and behavioural subscale (α 5 0,23). Fiability and construct validity were also satisfying. The scale was also well accepted by patients in terms of comprehension and length. Conclusions: The Arabic elaborated version of the NMSS-PD showed good structural characteristics and clinicometric properties. It is also found to be a simplified tool for routine assessment of frequency and severity of non-motor symptoms in Tunisian PD patients. A validation study of this adapted version including a larger cohort is ongoing.

Kacem, I., et al., Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: Preliminary evaluation of the Arabic adapted version of NMSS-PD in Tunisia. Movement Disorders, 2012. 27: p. S98-S99.

http://www.mdsabstracts.com/abstract.asp?MeetingID=787&id=99392