Development and Preliminary Testing of the Staffordshire Questionnaire for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (SQ‐AIS): Content and Face Validity

Introduction

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a structural spinal deformity with implications for health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL). The Scoliosis Research Society‐22 revised (SRS‐22r) questionnaire is the standard for HR‐QoL assessment. However, studies have identified limitations with the SRS‐22r, including content and face validity issues, reliability concerns, and language appropriateness. This study aimed to develop and validate a patient‐reported questionnaire, the Staffordshire Questionnaire for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (SQ‐AIS), to assess the impact of AIS on HR‐QoL.

Methods

The SQ‐AIS comprises six domains: general health, pain, function/activity, self‐image/appearance, mental health, and intervention. Individuals with AIS aged 10–19 years and clinicians from a range of countries with expertise in AIS contributed to the testing process. Face validity and clinical applicability were assessed using Likert scales, while content validity was evaluated through a categorical binary variable (yes/no).

Results

Involving 8 AIS patients and 43 clinicians, face validity scores demonstrated an acceptable level of understanding (≥ 4/5) for both individuals with AIS and clinicians. Most individuals with AIS (85.71%) and clinicians (80.95%) affirmed that the questionnaire sufficiently covers various aspects of scoliosis, indicating a satisfactory level of content validity. Ratings for applicability to clinical practice indicated an acceptable level of practical relevance (≥ 4/5).

Discussion and Conclusion

The SQ‐AIS emerges as a valid and promising tool to overcome existing challenges in AIS‐related outcome assessment. Pending further validation studies, the favorable reception from the international community of clinicians suggests its potential as a new benchmark for evaluating AIS impact on HR‐QoL and monitoring scoliosis management.