Validation of the Roland Morris Questionnaire in Colombia to Evaluate Disability in Low Back Pain

Study Design. An observational study was performed to validate a scale. Objective. This study validated the Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) in Colombia. Summary of Background Data. The RMQ is a frequently used instrument for the evaluation of disability in patients with low back pain. The psychometric properties of the RMQ are highly reliable, but a validated version is not available in our country. Methods. The RMQ 24-item scale ranges from 0 (no disability) to 24 (maximum disability) and it was applied to 133 patients older than 18 years of age with low back pain of any etiology and duration. Reliability, validity of content, construct and criterion were evaluated, and the latter was compared with the Oswestry Disability Index 2.1a, SF-36, and the visual analogue scale. Sensitivity to change was evaluated in patients with subacute low back pain, and a pharmacological and/or physical rehabilitation intervention was performed and the effect size of the treatment was calculated with Cohen's d coefficient. Results. The patients' average age was 43.4 (16.3) years, out of which 67.7% were females. Internal consistency revealed a coefficient of Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. Intraobserver reliability revealed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92. Construct validity between acute and chronic patients showed no significant differences (P = 0.405). Concurrent criterion validity compared with the Oswestry Disability Index 2.1a revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.745 which is a very good correlation. The correlation between RMQ and SF-36 was significant. The Pearson correlation between the RMQ and visual analogue scale was r = 0.438 with a P < 0.005. Sensitivity to change had a Cohen's d coefficient of 1.27, which corresponds to a very large effect size. Conclusion. The RMQ is a useful and reliable instrument for the evaluation of patients with low back pain, and it allows an adequate clinical postintervention follow-up. Level of Evidence: 3

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