Translation and validation of Polish versions of the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool and the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients questionnaire.

Abstract

Introduction: Early detection of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is critical to prevent joint damage and disability. The Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) and the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients (EARP) questionnaire are established instruments for identifying PsA in patients with psoriasis. However, validated Polish versions were not available. This study aimed to translate and validate the Polish versions of both questionnaires.

Material and methods: The translation process followed international guidelines. Two independent forward translations from English to Polish were performed by translators (P.K.K., K.M.T.), and a unified version was established by a third consultant (J.C.S.). This was followed by two independent back translations from Polish into English (A.Z., P.W.) to ensure accuracy. The back translations were presented to the authors of the original questionnaires. Cognitive debriefing was conducted with eight patients diagnosed with PsA to enhance clarity and cultural relevance. The final Polish questionnaires were then administered to 45 adult patients diagnosed with PsA, as defined by the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis, who were recruited from three clinical centers. Participants completed the questionnaires twice within a 3-to-5-day interval. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The Polish versions of PEST and EARP demonstrated adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach's α values of 0.712 for PEST and 0.771 for EARP. Test-retest reliability was robust, with intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.731 and 0.730 for the respective questionnaires. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two assessments (p > 0.05). A limitation of this study is the absence of convergent validity, primarily due to the lack of other validated Polish screening instruments.

Conclusions: The validated Polish versions of the PEST and the EARP questionnaires are reliable instruments for screening PsA. Their implementation in clinical practice may facilitate early diagnosis and referral to rheumatology, thereby enhancing patient management in Poland.