The Chinese Catquest-9SF: validation and application in community screenings

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Cataract screening is crucial for early detection and management.
• Validated questionnaires improve the efficiency and accuracy of screening tools.
• The Catquest-9SF measures visual functioning and quality of life in cataract patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Chinese version of the Catquest-9SF questionnaire for community-based cataract screenings.
• To assess the psychometric properties of the translated questionnaire.
• To explore the correlation between Catquest-9SF scores and objective cataract severity grading using LOCS III.

Main Methods:

• Prospective questionnaire validation study involving 104 Chinese cataract patients.
• Translation of the Catquest-9SF into Chinese.
• Rasch analysis to evaluate psychometric properties (unidimensionality, item fit, category probability).
• Spearman correlation to assess the relationship between Catquest-9SF scores and Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III grading.

Main Results:

• The Chinese Catquest-9SF demonstrated good psychometric properties, including ordered response categories and unidimensionality.
• Statistically significant correlations were found between specific Catquest-9SF items (Q6, Q7, Q8) and LOCS III scores.
• A moderate negative correlation was observed between Catquest-9SF item Q4 and subcapsular cataract components in the better eye (r = -0.546, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The Chinese Catquest-9SF is a valid and reliable instrument for use in community cataract screenings.
• The questionnaire can serve as a valuable auxiliary tool for preliminary cataract detection.
• Findings support the use of the Chinese Catquest-9SF to assess visual functioning in cataract patients within community settings.