Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Self-Completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) Scale for Use in a Libyan Population

Background: The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale is used to identify pain of neuropathic origin and has been validated as a self-completed tool (S-LANSS). We translated the S-LANSS into Arabic and evaluated its reliability and linguistic validity for use by Libyan people. Methods: Thirteen of 45 Libyan nationals living in the UK were identified as having chronic pain and completed an English and Arabic S-LANSS 1week apart. In addition, 23 of 104 respondents to a telephone interview in Derna City, Libya, were identified as having chronic pain and completed the Arabic S-LANSS. Seven of these 23 completed the S-LANSS again 1week later. Results: Cronbach's alpha was 0.72 (P<0.001) for the Arabic S-LANSS and 0.71 (P<0.001) for the English S-LANSS. There was good measurement of agreement of individual items in Arabic and English S-LANSS tools with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.69 to 1.00. Twelve of the 23 (52.2%) individuals with chronic pain scored 12 or more on the Arabic S-LANSS and were classified as possibly having neuropathic pain. There was good measurement of agreement of individual items in Arabic S-LANSS tools with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.462 to 1.00. There were strong intraclass correlations in both versions for test-retest reliability of total score. Conclusion: The Arabic S-LANSS is reliable and linguistically valid to use in Libya. Perspective: Our translation of the S-LANSS into Arabic was shown to be linguistically valid and reliable for use in a Libyan population.