The Persian Version Of Skindex-29 Health-Related Quality of Life Index: Translation and Psychometric Validation

Background: Dermatologic diseases have considerable effects on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients' assessment of disease’s effects on their life is an important component of disease management. Although Skindex-29 is one of the most utilized measures for assessing dermatology-specific HRQoL, there is no Persian version of it in Iran. This study aimed to translate Skindex-29 into Persian and to assess the psychometric properties of that. Methods: The study was a methodological study, carried out to examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Persian version of Skindex-29. The translation was conducted based on Mapi guidelines. 200 dermatologic patients filled in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Persian version of Skindex-29. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent validity and known-group validity were evaluated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test construction validity. Results: The final translated version was comprehensible. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.967. Skindex-29 total score and its subscales exhibited strong correlations with DLQI ones. Known-group validity was supported by the difference between the mild and severe disease groups (p< 0.05). Factor analyses identified three well-fitting factors like the original version, which accounted for 69.95% of the variance of the instrument. Conclusion: This study has developed an adequate Persian version of Skindex-29, which is valid and reliable for use as an HRQoL instrument in Iranian dermatologic patients.