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Development of the Italian version of the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ): a reliability and validity study
Giuseppe Giovannico1, Leonardo Pellicciari2, Filippo Cacciola1
1Department of Medicine and Health Science "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise c/o Cardarelli Hospital, Campobasso, Italy.
Objective:
To translate, culturally adapt, and assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ).
Methods:
The Italian version of the NPQ, developed following international guidelines, was administered with other measurement instruments to 110 subjects with neuropathic pain. Structural validity (exploratory factor analysis [EFA]), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (minimal detectable change [MDC]), and construct validity (hypothesis testing) were assessed.
Results:
EFA reported an one-factor structure (ratio between the first and the second eigenvalue was equal to 3.286, and the variance accounted for by the first factor was equal to 38.9%, with eigenvalues explaining the 38.9% of the variance). Internal consistency was adequate (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84), and test-retest reliability (assessed in a subsample of 32 subjects) was excellent (ICC = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.74-0.93). The measurement error analysis revealed a MDC equal to 1.08 points (corresponding to 13.2% of the total score range). The construct validity was moderate, as 71.4% (five out of seven) a-priori hypotheses were met.
Discussion:
The Italian version of the NPQ is available for clinical and research purposes, as its reliability and validity were met, and it can be used to assess neuropathic pain.
