Quality of life and disability in arabic-speaking neuropathy patients: a multicenter validation study of CAP-PRI and I-RODS

Abstract Background Proper assessment of quality of life (QOL) and disability in patients with polyneuropathy is critical for improving patients management. The aim of the study was to assess QOL and disability in Arabic-speaking patients with peripheral neuropathy using validated Arabic versions of the Chronic Acquired Polyneuropathy- Patient Reported Index (CAP-PRI) and the inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS), respectively. This multicenter prospective study comprised 105 consecutive Egyptian patients diagnosed with polyneuropathy. CAP-PRI and I-RODS were translated and validated according to standard guidelines. Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability scale, Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain were also assessed. Results The Arabic versions of CAP-PRI and I-RODS scales were valid and reliable with high internal consistency. A few items were not relevant to Egyptian patients because of cultural differences. Floor and ceiling effects were absent in the Arabic versions of CAP-PRI and I-RODS. In contrast, a floor effect was observed in the INCAT disability scale in 20% of patients. Patients with greater impairment and disability, and higher pain levels had higher CAP-PRI and lower I-RODS scores ( P < .05). Conclusion This study highlighted the uniqueness of the culture in a Middle Eastern Arabic-speaking population. The Arabic versions of CAP-PRI and I-RODS scales seemed to be valid and reliable metrics that can be adopted in routine clinical practice as well as in research settings, despite cultural differences. Both scales were able to distinguish between different levels of disease severity.