Diagnostics, Vol. 15, Pages 3036: Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Romanian Version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire

Diagnostics doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15233036

Authors:
Nicu Catalin Draghici
Daniel-Corneliu Leucuța
Maria Gianina Balea
Roxana Toader
Livia Livint-Popa
Cristina Tecar
Diana Sipos-Lascu
Oliviu Florentiu Sarb
Tudor Dimitrie Lupescu
Dafin Fior Mureșanu

Background/Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy, often impairing daily function and quality of life. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and assess the validity of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) in a Romanian cohort. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Romanian version of the BCTQ. A total of 190 participants were recruited, representing 380 wrists, including 130 patients with suspected or confirmed CTS and 60 healthy controls. The adaptation process followed international standards, with forward and backward translation, expert committee review, and pilot testing. Participants completed the Romanian BCTQ and performed standardized nerve conduction studies. The internal consistency and validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, exploratory factor analysis, and test–retest assessments, were performed. Results: The Romanian BCTQ exhibited exceptional internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.96), significant inter-item correlations, and robust factor loadings confirming a one-factor structure. Convergent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with electrodiagnostic measurements. The test–retest reliability was high, with intraclass correlation coefficients above 0,99. Conclusions: The Romanian adaptation of the BCTQ is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate patient-reported instrument to assess symptom severity and functional status in CTS, improving clinical decision-making and cross-cultural research.

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Nicu Catalin Draghici www.mdpi.com