Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Slovenian version of the Core outcome measures index for low back pain

• Main Authors: Matevž Topolovec, David Vozlič, Nejc Plohl, Rok Vengust, Miha Vodičar, Anne Frances Mannion
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-04-01
• Series: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Subjects: Cross-cultural adaptation; Validation; Core outcome measures index; Low back pain; Slovenian
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-020-03280-8

Abstract Background To conduct a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) in the Slovenian language, for use in patients with low back pain. Methods The English version of COMI was translated into Slovene following established guidelines. Three hundred fifty-three patients with chronic low back pain were recruited from the Orthopedic clinic department of a tertiary care teaching institution. Data quality, construct validity, responsiveness, and test-retest reliability of the COMI were assessed. Results The questionnaire was generally well accepted with no missing values. The majority of items exhibited only mild ceiling effects (below 20.0%) and somewhat more prominent floor effects, which were similar to previous studies (4.5–78.8%). Correlations with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were high (ρ = 0.76 between overall COMI and ODI scores), suggesting that the Slovene version of COMI had high construct validity. Additionally, the Slovene version of COMI successfully captured surgical patients’ improvement in their low back problem after surgery (overall COMI score change: Z = − 9.34, p < .001, r = − 0.53) and showed acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.86). Conclusions The Slovene version of COMI showed good psychometric properties, comparable to those of previously tested language versions. It represents a valuable instrument for the use in future domestic and multicenter clinical studies.