Validation of the Arabic version of the score for allergic rhinitis tool

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to allergen exposure. We translated and validated the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) into an Arabic version so that the disease can be studied in an Arabic population. OBJECTIVES: SFAR is a non-invasive self-administered tool that evaluates eight items related to AR. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the SFAR questionnaire into Arabic, and assess the validity, consistency, and reliability of the translated version in an Arabic-speaking population of patients with suspected AR. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital in Riyadh. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The Arabic version of the SFAR was administered to patients with suspected AR and control participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of the AR and control groups to determine the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument. RESULTS: The AR (n=173) and control (n=75) groups had significantly different Arabic SFAR scores (P<.0001). The instrument provided satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha value of 0.7). The test-retest reliability was excellent for the total Arabic SFAR score (r =0.836, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the Arabic version of the SFAR is a valid tool that can be used to screen Arabic speakers with suspected AR. LIMITATIONS: The absence of objective allergy testing.