Translating the Cluster Headache Quality of Life Questionnaire (CHQ) from English to Dutch with the TRAPD method

Neurol Sci. 2024 Mar;45(3):1217-1224. doi: 10.1007/s10072-023-07088-x. Epub 2023 Oct 6.

Abstract

Objective: Cluster headache is associated with a decreased quality of life (QoL). The increased focus on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) has led to the creation of a tailored Cluster Headache Quality of Life scale (CHQ). Our objective was to create and authenticate a Dutch version of the CHQ (CHQ-D).

Methods: The TRAPD model (Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretesting, Documentation) was used to translate the CHQ from English to Dutch and ensure cross-cultural adaption. Pre-testing was performed in n = 31 participants, and validity was in a new sample of n = 40 participants who completed the CHQ twice at a 2-day interval. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the validity and reproducibility of the CHQ-D.

Results: To produce the CHQ-D, we made five modifications based on pretesting. Participants finished the questionnaire in a median time of 10 min (IQR:10.0, 17.5) and 90% within 20 min. The majority of participants (74.2%) did not find it burdensome at all. The reliability of the CHQ-D was excellent (Cronbach's alpha: 0.94; ICC: 0.94).

Conclusion: The CHQ-D is a valid and practical instrument for QoL in individuals with cluster headache. We aim to use CHQ-D as PROM in clinical research in the Netherlands to enforce international collaborations and comparisons of studies.

Keywords: Cluster Headache Quality of Life Questionnaire; Cluster headache; Patient-reported outcome measurement; Quality of life; Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia.

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Headache* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Translating