OBJECTIVE: To generate an Arabic version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and to assess its reliability by applying it to a group of patients with vestibular disorders and control healthy subjects of Arabic origin. METHODS: The Arabic version of the DHI was developed using the standard protocol for test translation. This pilot study was carried out between January 2009 and January 2011 at the Otology/Neurotology Clinic at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The translated version was then tested using 50 patients with vestibular disorders, and 50 control subjects. Participants` responses were statistically analyzed for internal consistency within and between the patient and control groups. RESULTS: An Arabic DHI showed a significantly high internal consistency and reliability. Cronbach`s alpha coefficient with 95% confidence interval for functional score among patients was 0.87 (0.81-0.92), 0.81 (0.72-0.88) for physical score, 0.79 (0.69-0.87) for emotional score, and 0.92 (0.89-0.95) for the overall DHI score. A significant difference was found in domain scores and total DHI score between the dizzy and control groups (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the DHI is a valid and reliable self-assessment tool for the severity of vestibular disorders.

Alsanosi, A. A. (2012). "Adaptation of the dizziness handicap inventory for use in the Arab population." Neurosciences (Riyadh) 17(2): 139-144.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465888