Neuropathic Pain Assessment with the PainDETECT Questionnaire: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation to Hindi.

OBJECTIVE: The contribution of neuropathic pain (NeP) in chronic pain conditions is increasingly emphasized with the development of multiple questionnaire-based measurement scales. The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) is a frequently used self-reported outcome measure to assess NeP in patients with chronic pain conditions in research and regular clinical practice. The aim of the study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PDQ into Hindi (Hi-PDQ) for use in India and to investigate its psychometric properties.

METHODS: PainDETECT questionnaire translation into the Hindi language was carried out according to standard guidelines. Patients suffering from chronic pain attending a pain clinic were recruited. Patients completed the Hi-PDQ at baseline and were retested was conducted after 3 days Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out to assess the factor structure of the Hi-PDQ. Measurement properties, including floor and ceiling effects, discriminative validity, and psychometric properties, were also assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 160 patients with chronic pain were recruited, including 80 in each NeP and non-NeP group. The retest was completed in 82 patients. Mean Hi-PDQ scores were significantly higher in the NeP group compared with the non-NeP group (20.7 [SD 5.9] vs. 9.9 [SD 5.9]; P < 0.01). EFA revealed a 2-factor structure explaining 56.9% variance. The Hi-PDQ was found to have adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94), and excellent discriminant validity (area under the curve = 0.88), with an optimal cutoff value of > 18 (sensitivity and specificity of 82.5% and 91.2%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The PDQ was successfully translated into the Hindi language. The Hi-PDQ showed good discriminative validity and psychometric properties. The Hi-PDQ is a reliable instrument to assess NeP in chronic pain conditions.