URDU TRANSLATION AND CROSS-CULTURAL VALIDATION OF PEDSQL EPILEPSY MODULE VERSION 3.0 PARENT REPORT

Background: Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. Assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with epilepsy is crucial for understanding the broader impact of the condition beyond clinical symptoms. The Pediatric Quality of Life Epilepsy Module (PedsQL, Version 3.0), parent-proxy report for children aged 5–7 years, is a widely recognized tool, yet no Urdu version was available for use in the Pakistani population. Objective: To translate the PedsQL Epilepsy Module (Version 3.0), parent report for children aged 5–7 years, into Urdu and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: A cross-cultural translation and validation study was conducted over six months at the Rising Sun Institute. The translation process followed international guidelines and included forward translation by two bilingual experts, reconciliation, backward translation, and expert panel review. The pre-final version was tested through cognitive interviewing and finalized for administration. A total of 30 parents of children with epilepsy, recruited through non-probability convenience sampling, completed the Urdu version of the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were calculated based on ratings from five experts. Internal consistency and reliability were assessed through Cronbach’s alpha and Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Factor analysis was performed to evaluate construct validity. Results: The average CVI of the translated tool was 0.812, confirming high content validity. CVR values ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 across items, with most items achieving full agreement among experts. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was 0.895, demonstrating excellent reliability. The ICC for the tool was 0.895 (95% CI: 0.851–0.931), confirming strong test–retest reliability. Factor analysis revealed four major components explaining 78.9% of the total variance, and item-total correlations were within acceptable ranges, supporting discriminant validity. Conclusion: The Urdu version of the PedsQL Epilepsy Module (Version 3.0), parent-proxy report for children aged 5–7 years, is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing quality of life in children with epilepsy in Pakistan. This translation provides an essential tool for clinical practice and research, enabling culturally relevant assessment of HRQOL.