Background: The Middle East Lower Limb Score (MELLS) is an adaptation of the WOMAC questionnaire, specifically adjusted according to the cultural issues of the middle eastern patients with Knee or hip disabilities. The primary objective of this study was to verify if the translation and adaptation of the MELLS into Arabic could be used with ease and consistency by Arab-speaking patients suffering lower limb disabilities.Methods: 110 participants were involved in this study. We performed the internal consistency tests with Cronbach’s alpha. We also calculated floor effects, ceiling effects, as well as test-retest reliability (intra-correlation coefficient). To estimate the validity of MELLS, we used two validated questionnaires – WOMAC and OHS. We confirmed the validity of MELLS questionnaire using Spearman’s correlation.Results: MELLS had a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88 in the first assessment and 0.92 in the second assessment, which was very high and reliable. Both subscales of MELLS had an internal consistency higher than 0.85. No relevant ceiling and floor effect were observed among the responses. Furthermore, strong significant correlation with WOMAC subscales and OHS was observed, which suggested a good construct validity. Responsiveness of MELLS, however, proved to be lower (but not considerably) than other two questionnaires.Conclusion: The Arabic Middle East Lower Limb Score (MELLS) is a useful and reliable diagnostic tool for Middle eastern patients with knee and hip problems.

No abstract

Background: The Middle East Lower Limb Score (MELLS) is an adaptation of the WOMAC questionnaire, specifically adjusted according to the cultural issues of the middle eastern patients with Knee or hip disabilities. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to verify if the translation and adaptation of the MELLS into Arabic could be used with ease and consistency by Arab-speaking patients suffering lower limb disabilities. Material & Methods: 110 participants were involved in this study. We performed the internal consistency tests with Cronbach’s alpha. We also calculated floor effects, ceiling effects, as well as test-retest reliability (intra-correlation coefficient). To estimate the validity of MELLS, we used two validated questionnaires – WOMAC and OHS. We confirmed the validity of MELLS questionnaire using Spearman’s correlation. Results: MELLS had a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88 in the first assessment and 0.92 in the second assessment, which was very high and reliable. Both subscales of MELLS had an internal consistency higher than 0.85. No relevant ceiling and floor effect were observed among the responses. Furthermore, strong significant correlation with WOMAC subscales and OHS was observed, which suggested good construct validity. Responsiveness of MELLS, however, proved to be lower (but not considerably) than other two questionnaires. Conclusion: The Arabic Middle East Lower Limb Score (MELLS) is a useful and reliable diagnostic tool for Middle eastern patients with knee and hip problems.

Patients with hip osteoarthritis experience pain and also complain about functional impairment during daily activities such as climbing the stairs and walking 16,17. Strength deficits, stiffness, disturbances in gait, loss of joint movement, and decreased walking velocity are common clinical findings that are peculiar to hip OA 8. Defects in physical function and pain do have a negative effect on the patient's quality of life 16,18 .

Background: The Harris Hip Score (HHS) is a widely used Patient-Related Outcomes score. It measures pain and function levels in patients with hip pathologies. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the HHS into Arabic, and to assess the reliability and validity of the translated version. Material & Methods: 110 patients participated in this survey. The internal consistency tests were calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. Test-retest reliability (intra-correlation coefficient), convergent construct validity, convergent validity, floor & ceiling effects, and responsiveness were calculated. Bland-Altman Plot and forest plots were done to measure the level of agreement. Results: Test reliability for the first testing situation - calculated using Cronbach's alpha - was 0.98 for the pain subscale, 0.98 for the stiffness, and 0.99 for the physical function subscale. For the second testing, reliability was 0.99, 0.97, and 0.99 (pain, stiffness, and physical function, respectively).