SummaryObjectives To translate the French DESS scale into Arabic dialect, to adapt it into the Tunisian cultural context and to investigate its validity in a sample of Tunisian persons with multiple disabilities (PMD). Materials and methods The study was conducted in two parts: (1) translation and cultural adaptation; (2) test of the pre-final translated version within a group of 30 PMD, to assess its validity (using the appropriate non-parametric tests) and internal consistency (calculating Cronbach coefficient, limit of acceptability is 0.7). Results Scoring was redone in 10 patients, leading to 42 assessments. The translated version had a good face validity since it was well received by the investigator in 38/42 quotations (90%) and impression of pain was confirmed in almost all patients. Filling in the scale did not exceed 10 minutes in 34/42 quotations (81%). Difficulties in understanding five items were reported by 8 recipients (19%). Concerning the 10 patients who received two quotations, the average score was significantly lower after analgesics (P = 0.005), indicating good discriminative construct validity. Divergent construct validity was verified, since there were no significant differences between total scores and other assumed independent parameters (gender, age, autonomy, motor deficiency, cause of disability, recruitment). Cronbach's coefficient was 0.82, certifying good internal scale coherence. Conclusion The pre-final version of San Salvadour scale translated into Tunisian Arabic dialect is valid, reliable, and usable within an acceptable time with caregivers of PMD. The final version will allow the investigation of other psychometric properties of this generic scale.

Ben Chehida, A., et al. (2015). "Évaluation de la douleur de la personne polyhandicapée : adaptation en dialecte tunisien de l’échelle San Salvadour." Journal de Réadaptation Médicale : Pratique et Formation en Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation 35(4):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrm.2015.06.002