Translation and Validation of Urticaria Control Test (UCT) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life (CU-Q2oL)...

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a distressing skin condition characterised by pruritic wheals, with or without angioedema, lasting for more than 6 weeks. The disease significantly compromises patients' quality of life, affecting various aspects of daily living. Assessing disease control and quality of life in CU patients is essential for evaluating disease burden and improving therapeutic outcomes. However, there is a lack of tools to assess these parameters in the Hindi-speaking population in India. This study aims to translate, adapt, and validate the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) and Urticaria Control Test (UCT) in Hindi, providing culturally relevant and accurate assessments.

The translation process followed standard procedures, including forward and backward translations, expert committee review, and preliminary pilot testing. The reliability and validity of the translated questionnaires were evaluated. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability were assessed for both CU-Q2oL and UCT. Construct validity was determined by comparing CU-Q2oL and UCT with an established English Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score. A cross-sectional study recruited 30 adult patients with CU from an Indian tertiary care hospital. Demographic details and disease parameters were collected, and participants filled the questionnaires at baseline and after 14 days.

The mean age of the participants was 37.86 ± 11.69 years, and most were female (63.3%). The Hindi version of CU-Q2oL demonstrated respectable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75) and strong test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient or Pearson's r = 0.75). Domain 1 (pruritus) and domain 5 (sleep disturbances) were the most affected, while domain 2 (swelling) was the least affected. UCT also showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82) and acceptable test-retest reliability (Pearson's r = 0.46). Construct validity was established through positive correlation coefficients with DLQI.

The translated and validated CU-Q2oL and UCT questionnaires in Hindi provide valuable tools for assessing disease activity and quality of life in CU patients. These questionnaires can aid in research, enhance patient care, and improve disease management in the Hindi-speaking population. Their positive correlation with an established quality of life measure further validates their utility and reliability. Overall, this study should contribute to better healthcare outcomes for patients with CU in India.