Linguistic Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs Instrument for the German- and Spanish-Speaking Populations

Abstract

Background

The Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) is a widely used observer-reported outcome measure questionnaire for assessing pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. This study aimed to linguistically validate and culturally adapt the LOAD for German- and Spanish-speaking populations.

Methods

The process followed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology and involved two forward translations, a reconciliation of the forward translation, back translations, expert reviews, and cognitive debriefing interviews with a representative sample of dog carers. A universal approach was adopted to generate Universal German and Universal Spanish versions of the LOAD suitable for use in all German- and Spanish-speaking countries.

Results

The two forward translations and the reconciliation phase showed 12 and 6 discrepancies for the German and Spanish LOAD, respectively. Comparing the backward translation with the original version identified 13 items or instructions in the German LOAD and 20 in the Spanish LOAD that required retranslation. The review panel resolved both conceptual and literal discrepancies, while input from cognitive interview participants contributed to 6 additional revisions for the Universal German version and 15 for the Universal Spanish versions of the LOAD.

Conclusion

This stepwise approach resulted in linguistically validated and culturally adapted universal versions of the LOAD for the German- and Spanish-speaking populations.

Keywords

observer-reported outcome measures - translation - linguistic validation - canine - orthopaedic

Note

Parts of this work have been presented at the virtual AO VET Symposium—Bridging The Gap: Translating Clinical Research to Clinical Practice, December 2023.

Authors' Contribution

H.R. contributed to the conception of the study, study design, data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, original draft writing, and reviewing and editing. N.A.R.R. and P.L. contributed to the data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, and reviewing and editing. C.C. contributed to the original draft writing, reviewing, and editing. P.C. contributed to study design, data analysis and interpretation, as well as reviewing and editing. A.J. contributed to the conception of the study, study design and reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 14 November 2024

Accepted: 21 February 2025

Article published online:
12 May 2025

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