The Arabic Version of MELASQoL Scale: Translation, Cultural Adaptation, with Assessment of Reliability and Validity

Background: Melasma has significant emotional and psychological effects and significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Melasma QoL Scale (MELASQoL) is a specific questionnaire that has been developed to assess the effect of melasma on patient’s QoL. Objective: Translation, cultural adaptation, reliability and validation of melasma specific QoL sale (MELASQoL) into Arabic. Patients and Methods: A total of 65 adult Egyptian female patients with melasma aged ≥18 years old with skin phototypes type III-V were enrolled in this study. Wood’s light was used for determination of the type of melasma either epidermal, dermal or mixed. Melasma severity was assessed by using the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score and the new modified score (mMASI). The impact of melasma on QoL was evaluated using the Arabic version of MELASQoL scale after translation and cultural adaptation according to the WHO guidelines. The questionnaire’s reliability and validity was assessed. Results: The internal consistency for the 10-item of the MELASQoL-A scale was excellent; Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) = 0.914 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (Cronbach α = 0.944) indicating high reliability of the developed Arabic version. There was significant positive correlation between the MELASQoL-A scale and the MASI score (r= 0.41; p= 0.0027), and the mMASI score (r = 0.36; p= 0.0032). Conclusion: The Arabic version of the MELASQoL scale was found to be a reliable and valid measure for evaluating the QoL among Egyptian melasma patients, supporting its use in Arab communities.