Background: Psoriasis has been shown to have substantial impacts on dermatology-related functional limitations and health-related quality of life. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a validated questionnaire that was developed as a practical measure for use in dermatology clinical settings. Objectives: The aim of our study was to translate and to adapt the DLQI questionnaire to the Arabic language for Morocco and to examine the translated questionnaire's psychometric properties in psoriatic patients. Methods: After the procedure of forward and back translation and adaptation, the DLQI Arabic version was developed and approved by the author of the questionnaire (Finlay AY; www.ukdermatology.co.uk). The DLQI was administered to adult psoriatic patients ( ≥ 18 years). The psoriasis severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Multitrait scaling analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized scale structure of the DLQI. Reliability was tested using Cronbach coefficient alfa. Construct validity was tested by known-groups comparison using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: A total of 94 psoriatic patients (58 outpatients and 36 hospitalized patients) completed the DLQI. Mean age was 38 6 14 years, 56 were women (51%). Mean PASI was 11.6 6 7.9. Mean disease duration was 12 6 9 years. Regarding the type of psoriasis, 40% (n = 38) presented the plaque form, 23% (n = 22) psoriasis guttate, and 16% (n = 14) complicated forms (8% pustulous and 8% erythrodermal forms). Mean DLQI score was 12 6 6; range, 1 to 25 (the higher the score, the greater the impairment of quality of life). Time to complete the questionnaire was 4 6 1minutes. Cronbach alfa coefficient was 0.85. Item internal convergency was higher than 0.40 (0.40-0.88; 100% scaling success). Construct validity was confirmed by higher scores of the DLQI being reported by patients with high level of education (P = .004). There were also significant associations between DLQI scores and psoriasis severity disease (P<.001), and hospitalization forms (P =.007). Conclusion: The Arabic translation of the DLQI showed satisfactory reliability and good validity. Our analyses add to the validity ''continuum'' of the DLQI. This questionnaire can be considered as a valid measure of Moroccan psoriatics' health status and can be used in both research and clinical settings for international comparative studies.

Ezzahra, L. F., et al. (2010). "The Arabic version of the dermatology life quality index for Morocco: Psychometric properties in psoriatics." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 62(3): AB138.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.11.529