Adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of Dyspnoea-12 scale in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Dyspnoea‐12 scale is a validated assessment tool, capturing the perception of dyspnoea and its physical and affective effects in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A validated version for the Chinese‐speaking population has been unavailable.

<b>Objective:</b> To develop a Chinese version of D‐12 (D‐12‐C) scale and evaluate its validity and reliability.

<b>Methods:</b> D‐12 was translated from English to traditional Chinese in collaboration with a physician and a linguist. Back translation was adopted to ensure accuracy of the translation. A total of 155 COPD patients were recruited to test the reliability and validity of the D‐12‐C scale. Internal reliability and test‐retest reliability were measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intra‐class correlation coefficient, respectively. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Concurrent validity was assessed by the correlation of D‐12‐C total score and sub‐scores and the Chinese version of Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) total score and sub‐scores.

<b>Results:</b> The two‐factor structure of D‐12‐C was confirmed by EFA. D‐12‐C and its sub‐scores demonstrated high level of internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and moderate level of test‐retest reliability. D‐12‐C total score, physical and affective sub‐scores were significantly correlated to SGRQ total score (r_s = 0.59, p < 0.001) and activity sub‐score (r_s = 0.38, p = 0.006), SF‐36 mental health sub‐score (r_s = −0.36, p < 0.001), CAT (r_s = 0.56, p < 0.001), HADS anxiety (r_s = 0.51, p < 0.001) and depression sub‐scores (r_s = 0.44, p < 0.001).

<b>Conclusion:</b> D‐12‐C scale was developed, which demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity in measuring dyspnoea among COPD patients.