Psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the arrhythmia-specific questionnaire in tachycardia and arrhythmia among older adult arrhythmic patients

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Arrhythmia Specific Questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia Health-Related Quality of Life (ASTA-HRQOL) scale into Arabic among older adult patients with any type of arrhythmia.

Methods

A forward-backward translation method was used in translating the scale to Arabic. 130 older adults diagnosed with arrhythmia were recruited by convenience sampling from February 2023 to January 2024. Psychometric analysis involved internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, floor and ceiling effects, discriminant validity, factorial validity, diagnosis accuracy, and calibration.

Results

The scale showed excellent internal consistency and reliability. Convergent and discriminant validity were emphasized, and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit of the model following modification. The cut-off point for discriminating between poor and good quality of life was 13.5, and the area under the curve was 0.95.

Conclusion

The ASTA-HRQOL Arabic questionnaire presented globally good psychometric properties among older adult patients with arrhythmia.