Validation of the Arabic version of the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire

Abstract

The Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) was developed just over twenty years ago to measure quality of life (QoL) changes in patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthognathic surgery. However, despite being used in several studies conducted in Arabic-speaking nations of the Middle East and North Africa region, there has yet to be a formal psychometric evaluation of an Arabic OQLQ. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of an Arabic version of the OQLQ in a cohort of Saudi Arabian patients with malocclusions and dentofacial deformities. The translation of the OQLQ used an established method for adapting health questionnaires, where the questionnaire underwent translation and back-translation by bilinguals with subsequent consultation with professionals. Cronbach’s α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.92, denoting “excellent” internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was good to excellent. Overall OQOL scores were weakly but positively correlated with satisfaction with surgical treatment and were significantly lower after surgery than before surgery. The Arabic version of the OQLQ is conceptually similar to the English version, comprehensible, reliable, valid, and responsive. Future studies should now use this standardized version to ensure reliability of the results and allow comparisons between studies.