Cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Malayalam version of the Berlin questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Berlin questionnaire into Malayalam.

METHODS

The cultural adaptation process included translation, expert review, and pre-testing with 20 participants. Psychometric properties were assessed in 100 participants who completed the Malayalam Berlin questionnaire (M-BQ), underwent polysomnography, and provided sociodemographic and clinical data. Reliability, criterion validity, and psychometric properties were evaluated compared to Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI).

RESULTS

The M-BQ presented conceptual and cultural equivalence. Reliability assessed using Cronbach's alpha was 0.61. The instrument showed a sensitivity of 83.05%, 54.24%, 30.51%, and specificity of 78.05%, 97.56%, 100% for the risk stratification of obstructive sleep apnea according to the AHI scores.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the reliability and validity of the Malayalam version of the Berlin Questionnaire in the study population.