Quality of life assessment in facial palsy: validation of the Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale

Abstract

This study aimed at validating an existing health-related quality of life questionnaire for patients with facial palsy for implementation in the Dutch language and culture. The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale was translated into the Dutch language using a forward–backward translation method. A pilot test with the translated questionnaire was performed in 10 patients with facial palsy and 10 normal subjects. Finally, cross-cultural adaption was accomplished at our outpatient clinic for facial palsy. Analyses for internal consistency, test–retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness were performed. Ninety-three patients completed the Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale, the Dutch Facial Disability Index, and the Dutch Short Form (36) Health Survey. Cronbach’s α, representing internal consistency, was 0.800. Test–retest reliability was shown by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.737. Correlations with the House–Brackmann score, Sunnybrook score, Facial Disability Index physical function, and social/well-being function were −0.292, 0.570, 0.713, and 0.575, respectively. The SF-36 domains correlate best with the FaCE social function domain, with the strongest correlation between the both social function domains (r = 0.576). The FaCE score did statistically significantly increase in 35 patients receiving botulinum toxin type A (P = 0.042, Student t test). The domains ‘facial comfort’ and ‘social function’ improved statistically significantly as well (P = 0.022 and P = 0.046, respectively, Student t-test). The Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale shows good psychometric values and can be implemented in the management of Dutch-speaking patients with facial palsy in the Netherlands. Translation of the instrument into other languages may lead to widespread use, making evaluation and comparison possible among different providers.

Validation of French versions of the Facial Disability Index and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale, specific quality of life scales for peripheral facial palsy patients

“…Facial Clinimetric Evaluation internal consistency by Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.89 (test) and 0.92 (retest). This value is consistent with the literature where coefficients are reported at 0.80, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively, for Dutch, Swedish and German versions . For FDI, Cronbach's α were 0.88 and 0.86 (test‐retest) for physical function and 0.70 and 0.82 (test‐retest) for social function.…”

“…No difficulty in translation process and in French adaptation was encountered. In our validation study, the population size (67 patients) was consistent with the literature . PFP was idiopathic in 53.7% of cases, and iatrogenic in 29.9%.…”

“…Test‐retest reliability or concordance degree was rated by Pearson's coefficient with Bland and Altman method by repeating questionnaires after seven days . Test‐retest reliability was also evaluated by intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) since this statistical method was used in previous works of translation of FDI and FaCE …”

“…Since their descriptions, these questionnaires have been used in several studies . After the original version in English, versions in Spanish, Chinese, Swedish, Italian, German and Dutch languages have also been validated …”

Quality of life before and after different treatment modalities in peripheral facial palsy: A systematic review

“…Twenty‐one studies were found eligible and underwent full‐text appraisal, resulting in nine exclusions. Two studies were a validation study of the FaCE scale in Dutch and Swedish, respectively . One study included the validation of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire .…”