Reliability of the medical outcomes study short-form survey version 2.0 (Thai version) for the evaluation of low back pain patients.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability of Thai version of the medical outcomes study short-form survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) in low back pain patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors developed the Thai version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) and tested it in 100 low back pain patients. Reliability of the Thai version of SF-36V2 was assessed by internal consistency using Chronbach's alpha coefficient and item-scale correlation. RESULTS: The authors demonstrated that the Chronbach's alpha coefficient of the physical health and mental health summary scales were 0.93 and 0.92 respectively. The Chronbach's alpha coefficient of eight scales in the Thai version of the SF-36V2 ranging was 0.72 - 0.94. The Chronbach's alpha coefficient tested in acute or chronic low back pain patients whether they have back pain only or back pain with radiculopathy ranging was 0.72-0.93. The item correlation coefficient for the 35 items within the eight health aspects ranged from 0.43 to 0.8. CONCLUSION: The Thai version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) is a reliable tool for assessing functional disability of low back pain in Thai patients.