Mandarin version of the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire: A valid instrument for assessing symptoms in Asians

Authors

  • Hwong-Ruey Leow,

    1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Siew-Mooi Ching,

    1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Ramanujam Sujarita,

    1. Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Choon-Fong Yap,

    1. Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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  • Yook-Chin Chia,

    1. Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    2. Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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  • Shiaw-Hooi Ho,

    1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Suresh Sithambaram,

    1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Huck-Joo Tan,

    1. Sunway Medical Centre, Selangor, Malaysia
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  • Khean-Lee Goh,

    1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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  • Sanjiv Mahadeva

    Corresponding author
    1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Correspondence to: Sanjiv MAHADEVA, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia, Email: sanjiv@ummc.edu.my

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  • Conflict of interest: None.

Abstract

Objective

To develop and validate a Mandarin version of the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (M-LDQ) in Asian patients with dyspepsia.

Methods

The M-LDQ was developed according to standardized methods. The validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability and responsiveness of the instrument were evaluated in both primary and secondary care patients.

Results

A total of 184 patients (mean age 54.0 ± 15.8 years, of whom 59% were women and 72.3% of whom had at least secondary level education) were recruited between August 2012 and March 2013, from both primary (n = 100) and secondary care clinics (n = 84). Both the internal consistency of all components of the M-LDQ (Cronbach's α 0.79) and test–retest reliability (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.78) were good. The M-LDQ was valid in diagnosing dyspepsia in primary care (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.84) and was able to discriminate between secondary and primary care patients (median cumulative LDQ score 13.0 vs 3.0, P < 0.0001). Among eight patients with organic dyspepsia, the median M-LDQ score reduced significantly from 21.0 (pretreatment) to 9.5 (4 weeks post-treatment) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The M-LDQ is a valid and responsive instrument for assessing ethnic Chinese adults with dyspepsia.

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