OBJECTIVEThis study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire (COMDQ).

METHODSUsing translation, back-translation, quality evaluation, cross-cultural adaptation, and pre-assessment, a Chinese version of the COMDQ was drafted. A 26-item instrument which comprised of four domains: pain and functional limitation, medications and side effects, social and emotional aspects, and patient support was designed and tested. This questionnaire was given to patients who visited our clinic. After the patients accomplished the questionnaires, we analyzed the collected data to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale.

RESULTSA total of 130 patients were enrolled in our study. All the COMDQ questionnaires were completely filled out. The Chinese version of the COMDQ showed the following psychometric properties: Cronbach's alpha of 0.914, split-half reliability of 0.809, and correlation of 0.697. Factor analysis of construct validity demonstrated that the 26 items were classified into four domains, and the cumulative proportion was 67.62%. Thus, the scale had certain logical relation between the items in the same domains.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese version of the COMDQ demonstrate good reliability and validity by rigorous psychometric properties. It can be widely used to test the oral health-related quality of life of patients with oral mucosal diseases.