A study on Clinical Validity and Reliability of the Bengali Language Translated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD-QOL) in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients
Rupali Bhaduri *
Practice of Medicine, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
Arindam Pal
Anatomy, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
Anjan Roy
Surgery, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
Debashis Biswas
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
Kaushik Deb Das
Homoeopathic Pharmacy, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
Rayba Khatoon
Practice of Medicine, Bengal Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Asansol 713301, West Bengal, India.
Shreyasi Sengupta
Practice of Medicine, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly affects patients’ quality of life, yet no validated Bengali-language instrument existed to assess this impact.
Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD-QOL) into Bengali for use among Bengali-speaking GERD patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital. The GERD-QOL was translated into Bengali using a standardized forward–backward translation method, reviewed by an expert committee, and pilot tested for semantic and cultural equivalence. A total of 223 GERD patients completed the Bengali version of the questionnaire. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and content validity was assessed through expert review and participant feedback.
Results: The Bengali-translated GERD-QOL was well comprehended by all participants. The instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.939, confirming high reliability. Cultural adaptation was successfully achieved, and participants reported strong relevance of items to their daily experiences with GERD.
Conclusion: The Bengali version of the GERD-QOL is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate tool for assessing quality of life among GERD patients. It can be effectively utilized in clinical practice and research to evaluate the disease burden and treatment outcomes in Bengali-speaking populations.
Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd), Gerd-Qol, quality of life, bengali translation, validity, reliability, cultural adaptation, questionnaire validation