Validation of French versions of the Facial Disability Index and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale, specific quality of life scales for peripheral facial palsy patients

ObjectivesTo translate and validate French versions of two health-related quality of life questionnaires for patients with peripheral facial palsy: Facial Disability Index (FDI) and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingUniversity tertiary referral centre. ParticipantsA pilot test was performed on 10 subjects (5 patients with facial palsy of more than 1-month duration and 5 normal subjects), and then 67 adult patients with facial palsy were enrolled in the validation study. Main outcome measuresTranslation of the original questionnaires has followed international guidelines using a forward-backward translation method. A pilot test and a validation study based on the translated questionnaires were performed. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, validity and responsiveness were assessed. Validity was assessed by comparing to SF-36 and Sunnybrook/House-Brackmann grading systems. Subjects answered scales twice within a one-week interval. ResultsSixty-seven patients were enrolled, among which 63 completed scales one week later (retest). For physical and social functions of FDI and FaCE scores, Cronbach's alpha representing internal consistency was 0.88, 0.70 and 0.89, and test-retest reliability by intra-class correlation coefficients was 0.81, 0.86 and 0.89, respectively. The correlation of facial movement score of FaCE scale was good with Sunnybrook/House-Brackmann grading systems (0.73 and -0.75, P<0.01). The correlation of social function of FaCE scale was excellent with social function of SF-36 (0.8, P<0.01). ConclusionsFrench versions of FDI and FaCE scale are psychometrically valid. Both questionnaires can be used for clinical studies to assess the quality of life of patients with peripheral facial palsy.