Background and Aim: Breivik et al (2006) developed a 56 items questionnaire to measure the prevalence of chronic pain in Europe. We translated the questionnaire into Arabic and tested its linguistic validity for use in Libya. Methods: Four bilingual health professionals translated the chronic pain questionnaire into Arabic.Two bilingual investigators created an amalgamated version which was back translated to English for comparison and amended by a Libyan physician.The final Arabic questionnaire was tested on 26 pain patients in Libya by telephone interviews (n = 26; 52±18years).Nine participants completed the questionnaire again one week later. Results: IntraClass correlation (ICC) was high for answers to scaled items (item 9, ICC = 1.p = 0.0000, item 17 ICC = 0.975, p = 0.000 and item 49 ICC = 0.745.p = 0.026).The interviewer provided additional explanation to some questions for older participants.There were no differences in answers to nominal items between the first and second completion of questionnaire. Conclusion: The Arabic questionnaire was reliable and linguistically valid for use in a Libyan population.Some questions may require explanatory text to improve meaning for non-educated and older members of Libyan Society.

Elzahaf RA, Tashani OA, Unsworth BA, Johnson.Leeds MII. Translation and linguistic validation of the pain in europe survey questionnaire of chronic pain for use in a libyan population. European Journal of Pain Supplements. 2011;5(1):75.

https://f1000research.com/posters/1089339