Validation of the Arabic Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ-A): A National Study Among Head and Neck Cancers.

BACKGROUND

Xerostomia is a common acute and late adverse effect of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

AIMS/

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the eight-item self-reported Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) and to evaluate its psychometric properties among patients undergoing radiotherapy for HNC.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Radiotherapy Unit. The XQ was translated into Arabic following established international guidelines. A total of 187 patients completed the questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and McDonald's omega. Convergent-related validity was examined.

RESULTS

The results confirmed a unidimensional structure of XQ with CFA (χ2(28) = 52.1, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.996; TLI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.068; SRMR = 0.013). All items loaded significantly onto a single factor. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.952 (range 0.93-0.96) and McDonald's ω = 0.948. Test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.93). The correlations with the SDQ and MNA-SF supported convergent-related validity.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The Arabic XQ shows excellent psychometric performance and is suitable for assessing xerostomia severity in Arabic-speaking patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy.