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Structural validity of the Japanese Orthopedic Association back pain evaluation questionnaire in individuals with chronic low back pain

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE:

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the structural validity of the Brazilian version of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ).

METHODS:

Individuals with chronic low back pain were included. The data collection of the study occurred by means of online platform. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. The theoretical version proposed for the JOABPEQ with five domains was tested. The following indices were considered to verify the fit of the model: comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and chi-square/degrees of freedom (DF).

RESULTS:

The final sample consisted of 175 volunteers, mostly women (68%), adults (mean age of 28.98 years), lean (mean body mass index of 25 kg/m2), with incomplete higher education, single, with mean of pain chronicity of 61.50 months and mean of pain intensity of 6.78 points on the Numeric Pain Scale. Regarding the structure of the JOABPEQ, the original version with five domains was adequate: chi-square/DF=1.52, CFI=0.954, TLI=0.948, and RMSEA=0.055. The factorial load ranges from 0.41 to 0.90.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study confirms the structure of JOABPEQ with 5 domains (low back pain, lumbar function, walking ability, social life function, and mental health) and 25 items in individuals with chronic low back pain.

KEYWORDS:
Chronic low back pain; Questionnaire; Reproducibility of results

INTRODUCTION

Chronic low back pain is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal disability presented by the world population, affecting mainly the adult population, with clinical diagnosis centered on patient reports, and the majority being nonspecific and with a multifactorial etiology11. GBD 2016 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet. 2017;390(10100):1211-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32154-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32...
. According to the study by Carregaro et al.,22. Carregaro RL, Tottoli CR, Rodrigues DS, Bosmans JE, da Silva EN, van Tulder M. Low back pain should be considered a health and research priority in Brazil: lost productivity and healthcare costs between 2012 to 2016. PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0230902. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230902
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.023...
in the Brazilian population, health cost and loss of productivity due to low back pain are substantial, with men having higher levels of disability compared to women.

Therefore, it is extremely important to have accessible and low-cost instruments to measure the disability of these individuals, such as questionnaires, which must have adequate psychometric properties and precise statistical values to be used33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
,44. Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes CA, Pinheiro JS, Takahasi HY, Silva AP, Freitas DWN, Souza CS, et al. Structural validity of the Brazilian version of the shoulder pain and disability index in patients with chronic shoulder pain. J Hand Ther. 2021;S0894-1130(21)00022-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.01.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.01.00...
,55. Barreto FS, Avila MA, Pinheiro JS, Almeida MQG, Ferreira CSB, Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes CA, et al. Less is more: five-item neck disability index to assess chronic neck pain patients in Brazil. Spine. (Phila Pa 1976). 2020;46(12):E688-E693. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000003872
https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.000000000000...
. Usually, the most evaluated psychometric properties are reliability, content validity, responsiveness, and cross-cultural adaptation33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
. For the Brazilian population, previous studies support the clinical use of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)66. Nusbaum L, Natour J, Ferraz MB, Goldenberg J. Translation, adaptation and validation of the Roland-Morris questionnaire – Brazil Roland-Morris. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2001;34(2):203-10. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x2001000200007
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x200100...
, Bournemouth Questionnaire77. Calixtre LB, Fonseca CL, Gruninger BLS, Kamonseki DH. Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Bournemouth questionnaire for low back pain: validity and reliability. Braz J Phys Ther. 2021;25(1):70-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.02.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.02.0...
, STarT Back Screening Tool88. Pilz B, Vasconcelos RA, Marcondes FB, Lodovichi SS, Mello W, Grossi DB. The Brazilian version of STarT Back Screening Tool – translation, cross-cultural adaptation and reliability. Braz J Phys Ther. 2014;18(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0028
https://doi.org/10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.00...
, and Oswestry Disability Index99. Vigatto R, Alexandre NMC, Correa Filho HR. Development of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Oswestry Disability Index: cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007;32(4):481-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.brs.0000255075.11496.47
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.brs.000025507...
. Another interesting tool is the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), developed by Fukui et al.1010. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. JOA back pain evaluation questionnaire: initial report. J Orthop Sci. 2007;12(5):443-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-007-1162-x
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-007-1162-...
. It is a questionnaire centered on the patient's self-report and encompasses five domains: low back pain, lumbar function, walking ability, social life function, and mental health.

The original version of the JOABPEQ has adequate reliability (kappa ≥0.48)1111. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 2. Verification of its reliability: the subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. J Orthop Sci. 2007;12(6):526-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-007-1168-4
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-007-1168-...
,1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
. In addition, this questionnaire has already been adapted and validated for Chinese1313. Cheung PWH, Wong CKH, Cheung JPY. Psychometric validation of the adapted Traditional Chinese version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). J Orthop Sci. 2018;23(5):750-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2018.04.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2018.04.01...
, Turkish1414. Gunaydin G, Kanik ZH, Karabicak GO, Sozlu U, Pala OO, Alkan ZB, et al. Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. J Orthop Sci. 2016;21(3):295-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.01.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.01.00...
, Korean1515. Jung KS, Jung JH, Jang SH, Bang HS, In TS. The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29(7):1250-3. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1250
https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1250...
, Thai1616. Poosiripinyo T, Paholpak P, Jirarattanaphochai K, Kosuwon W, Sirichativapee W, Wisanuyotin T, et al. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ): a validation of the reliability of the Thai version. J Orthop Sci. 2017;22(1):34-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.10.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.10.00...
, Iranian1717. Azimi P, Shahzadi S, Montazeri A. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) for low back disorders: a validation study from Iran. J Orthop Sci. 2012;17(5):521-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0267-z
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0267-...
, and Arabic1818. Alfayez SM, Dous ANB, Altowim AA, Alrabiei QA, Alsubaie BO, Awwad WM. The validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire: can we implement it in Saudi Arabia? J Orthop Sci. 2017;22(4):618-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2017.04.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2017.04.00...
languages. In Brazil, the questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted for the Brazilian population by Poletto et at.,1919. Poletto PR, Gobbo DKP, Gotfryd AO, Catania SN, Sousa DC, Pereira SBS. Cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2017;15(3):313-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO3890
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO...
with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.90) and construct validity (magnitude of the significant correlations with domains of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Survey and Oswestry Disability Index, r=0.22–0.79).

However, there is no study in the literature that proposed to evaluate the structural validity of the JOABPEQ. This psychometric property is a specific statistical procedure with the objective of verifying whether the domains and items originally proposed in the creation of the questionnaire are supported statistically33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural validity of the Brazilian version of the JOABPEQ in individuals with chronic low back pain. The hypothesis of this study is that the originally proposed structure of JOABPEQ with five domains is supported by factor analysis, according to the previous study1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
. In the scientific literature, only the study conducted by Fukui et al.1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
analyzed the internal structure of JOABPEQ. The clinical relevance of the present study is to ensure that the JOABPEQ measures what it proposes to measure, giving a clinimetric basis for the use of this questionnaire by clinical professionals and researchers.

METHODS

Study design

This study of structural validity of a questionnaire was carried out according to the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN)33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
. The data collection of the study occurred by means of online platform.

The study procedures were approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Maranhão (opinion number 14783219.2.0000.5087). The volunteer recruitment took place in the university community, by means of dissemination, with physiotherapists and physical education professionals working in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain, and dissemination on social media. All volunteers included in the study validated their participation by signing informed consent forms.

Participants

The sample size calculation was based on COSMIN: seven times the number of items of the questionnaire33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
. In these terms, considering the JOABPEQ with 25 items, the present study was composed of 175 individuals with chronic low back pain.

We included participants of both sexes between the ages of 18 and 60 years, with pain report at least 3 months and with minimum pain intensity of 3 points on the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS)2020. Garcia AN, Costa LDCM, Hancock MJ, Souza FS, Gomes GVFO, Almeida MO, et al. McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy was slightly more effective than placebo for pain, but not for disability, in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised placebo controlled trial with short and longer term follow-up. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(9):594-598. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097327
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-09...
. The following exclusion criteria were adopted: unlettered; history of trauma, fractures, or acute spinal injuries; spine surgery; use of painkillers in the past 7 days; physiotherapeutic treatment for low back pain in the previous months; or the presence of other chronic pain.

Assessments

The online form featured an anamnesis with questions related to personal, sociodemographic, and anthropometric aspects to characterize the sample. In addition, the NPS, RMDQ, and JOABPEQ were answered.

The NPS is a simple and easy-to-measure scale that consists of a sequence of numbers, ranging from 0 to 10, in which a value of 0 represents “no pain” and a value of 10 represents “worst pain imaginable.” The volunteers graduated their pain based on these parameters. Pain intensity was assessed with the individual at rest and after active movements (flexion, extension, inclinations, and rotations) of the lumbar spine. This scale was adapted and validated for Portuguese by Ferreira-Valente et al.2121. Ferreira-Valente MA, Pais-Ribeiro JL, Jensen MP. Validity of four pain intensity rating scales. Pain. 2011;152(10):2399-404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2011.07.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2011.07.0...

The RMDQ is a questionnaire that has been validated and adapted by Nusbaum et al.66. Nusbaum L, Natour J, Ferraz MB, Goldenberg J. Translation, adaptation and validation of the Roland-Morris questionnaire – Brazil Roland-Morris. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2001;34(2):203-10. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x2001000200007
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x200100...
for the Brazilian population. This is an instrument that assesses disability related to low back pain and consists of 24 items that describe daily activities, in which each response is quantified from 0 to 1 (total score varying 0–24 points). The higher the total score, the greater the level of disability.

The JOABPEQ has been translated, adapted to Brazilian Portuguese, and validated by Poletto et al.1919. Poletto PR, Gobbo DKP, Gotfryd AO, Catania SN, Sousa DC, Pereira SBS. Cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2017;15(3):313-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO3890
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO...
The questionnaire consists of 25 items covering issues related to low back pain, lumbar function, walking ability, social life function, and mental health. The subscale scores range from 0 to 100, and the higher the score, the better the individual's condition. Based on the study by Fukui et al.,1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
formulas were defined to calculate the score for each domain, as described in Table 1.

Table 1
Formulas for calculating the score for each Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire domain.

Statistical analysis

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using R Studio software (Boston, MA, USA), using the lavaan and semPlot packages. The analysis was performed based on a polychoric covariance matrix and a robust diagonally weighted least squares (RDWLS) extraction method, given that the JOABPEQ score has an ordinal categorical nature. The theoretical version proposed for JOABPEQ with five domains was tested1919. Poletto PR, Gobbo DKP, Gotfryd AO, Catania SN, Sousa DC, Pereira SBS. Cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2017;15(3):313-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO3890
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO...
. The following indices were considered to verify the fit of the model: comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and chi-square/degrees of freedom (DF). As an acceptability parameter of the model, CFI and TLI >0.90, RMSEA <0.08, and chi-square/DF <3 were considered2222. Schermelleh-Engel K, Moosbrugger H, Müller H. Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures. MPR-online. 2003;8(8):23-74..

RESULTS

In this study, 205 individuals with chronic low back pain participated. Of these, 22 were excluded for having a score below 3 on the NPS, 4 for having a traumatic injury to the spine, and 1 for having undergone a surgical procedure. Thus, the final sample consisted of 175 volunteers, mostly women (68%), adults (mean age of 28.98 years), lean (mean body mass index of 25 kg/m22. Carregaro RL, Tottoli CR, Rodrigues DS, Bosmans JE, da Silva EN, van Tulder M. Low back pain should be considered a health and research priority in Brazil: lost productivity and healthcare costs between 2012 to 2016. PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0230902. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230902
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.023...
) with incomplete higher education, single, with mean chronicity of 61.50 months and mean of pain intensity of 6.78 points on the NPS. Table 2 presents the other personal characteristics of the study sample.

Table 2
Characterization of the study sample with presentation of values in mean and standard deviation or number and percentage.

Regarding the structure of the JOABPEQ, the original version with five domains was adequate based on the analysis of the fit indices generated from the CFA, as provided in Table 3. In addition, Table 4 indicates the covariance between the domains of the JOABPEQ, ranging from 0.471 to 0.826, and Figure 1 shows the factorial loads of each item in their respective domains, ranging from 0.41 to 0.90.

Table 3
Fit indexes of the model of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire with five domains in the studied sample (n=175).
Table 4
Covariance between Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire domains.
Figure 1
Path diagram with the factorial loads for each Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire domain.

DISCUSSION

The results of the present study show that the JOABPEQ is a questionnaire that has a structure of five domains and 25 items. Only the study conducted by Fukui et al.1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
analyzed the internal structure of JOABPEQ by means of exploratory factor analysis using the maximum likelihood extraction method. The factor load varied from 0.26 to 0.81 and five domains were identified.

Despite the statistical differences between the studies (our study used CFA with the RDWLS extraction method because it is more suitable for ordinal categorical variables), the structure we found is the same as the structure with five domains proposed by Fukui et al.1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
. The factorial loads of our study were relatively higher, varying between 0.41 and 0.90.

When comparing the characteristics of the sample, our study was composed mostly women, with mean age of 28.98 years, mean chronicity of 61.50 months, and mean of pain intensity of 6.78 points on the NPS. The sample of the study conducted by Fukui et al.1212. Fukui M, Chiba K, Kawakami M, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Miyamoto M, et al. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Part 3. Validity study and establishment of the measurement scale: subcommittee on low back pain and cervical myelopathy evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japan. J Orthop Sci. 2008;13(3):173-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-008-1213-...
was composed mostly men, with mean age of 50.7 years. This previous study did not assess the pain intensity, but classified the majority of patients with moderate severity of low back pain by means of qualitative analysis. Despite the differences between the studies, we considered our sample representative due to the eligibility criteria used here and the difference presented can be justified by the use of an online platform for data collection (the diffusion of technology is greater among younger people).

In the Brazilian Portuguese language, the study by Poletto et al.1919. Poletto PR, Gobbo DKP, Gotfryd AO, Catania SN, Sousa DC, Pereira SBS. Cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2017;15(3):313-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO3890
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082017AO...
performed translation and cross-cultural adaptation and evaluated the reliability and construct validity of the JOABPEQ. Despite this scientific initiative, it should be noted that no study has verified the structural validity of the JOABPEQ in the Brazilian population, an analysis that is a way of ensuring that the internal structure of the questionnaires (items and domains) is adequately based on rigorous statistical procedures, such as factor analysis33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
,2323. Mokkink LB, Prinsen CA, Patrick D, Alonso LM, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN study design checklist for patient-reported outcome measurement instruments. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Medical Centers; 2019. Available from: https://www.cosmin.nl/wp-content/uploads/COSMIN-study-designing-checklist_final.pdf
https://www.cosmin.nl/wp-content/uploads...
.

In relation to other validations of the JOABPEQ, the Arabic version1818. Alfayez SM, Dous ANB, Altowim AA, Alrabiei QA, Alsubaie BO, Awwad WM. The validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire: can we implement it in Saudi Arabia? J Orthop Sci. 2017;22(4):618-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2017.04.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2017.04.00...
assessed the instrument's internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.87, and, in addition, convergent validity was performed, which was confirmed with a correlation coefficient >0.4 for each item. Furthermore, an Iranian study2424. Azimi P, Shahzadi S, Montazeri A. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) for low back disorders: a validation study from Iran. J Orthop Sci.2012;17(5):521-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0267-z
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0267-...
identified satisfactory results for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.71) and, as in the Arab study, convergent validity (r≥0.48) was also achieved, obtaining satisfactory results, suggesting that the items had a substantial correlation with the subscale it represents.

Our study differs from the methodology used in the validation of the JOABPEQ for the Arab and Iranian populations, given that our study used CFA, a more robust and refined method2525. Mueller R, Hancock G. Factor analysis and latent structure, confirmatory; 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/00426-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/0...
than the simple correlation between the score of the items and the subscales.

In addition, cross-cultural adaptation of the JOABPEQ in other languages investigated the reliability and construct validity, as in the case of the versions in Thai1616. Poosiripinyo T, Paholpak P, Jirarattanaphochai K, Kosuwon W, Sirichativapee W, Wisanuyotin T, et al. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ): a validation of the reliability of the Thai version. J Orthop Sci. 2017;22(1):34-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.10.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.10.00...
, Korean1515. Jung KS, Jung JH, Jang SH, Bang HS, In TS. The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29(7):1250-3. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1250
https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1250...
, Chinese,1313. Cheung PWH, Wong CKH, Cheung JPY. Psychometric validation of the adapted Traditional Chinese version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). J Orthop Sci. 2018;23(5):750-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2018.04.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2018.04.01...
and Turkish2626. Gunaydin G, Kanik ZH, Karabicak GO, Sozlu U, Pala OO, Alkan ZB, et al. Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. J Orthop Sci. 2016;21(3):295-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.01.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2016.01.00...
. We emphasized again that none of these studies analyzed the internal structure of the questionnaire, as recommended by a robust international guideline33. Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018;27(5):1147-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1798-...
,2323. Mokkink LB, Prinsen CA, Patrick D, Alonso LM, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW, et al. COSMIN study design checklist for patient-reported outcome measurement instruments. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Medical Centers; 2019. Available from: https://www.cosmin.nl/wp-content/uploads/COSMIN-study-designing-checklist_final.pdf
https://www.cosmin.nl/wp-content/uploads...
.

The present study has some limitations. Data collection was carried out online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this way, we did not conduct a face-to-face clinical evaluation with the participants, and the eligibility criteria were applied based only on the participant's self-report.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the structure of the JOABPEQ with five domains (low back pain, low back function, walking, social life function, and mental health) and 25 items in individuals with chronic low back pain.

  • Funding: this work was partially supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES; finance code 001).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    18 Oct 2021
  • Date of issue
    Aug 2021

History

  • Received
    01 May 2021
  • Accepted
    13 July 2021
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