Cross-cultural adaptation of the Moroccan version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-M)

Problem considered: The main study objective was the translation and validation of the Moroccan dialect version dizziness handicap inventory questionnaire (DHI-M). Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2021 and January 2022, in the Otolaryngology Department of Casablanca University hospital, among patients with positional vertigo. The DHI-M questionnaire was translated according to the Forward-Backward method. It was filled before liberation and one week after. Statistical validation consisted in calculating internal consistency with Cronbach alpha α, construct validity, convergent validity, and responsiveness. Results: In total, 40 patients were included. Mean DHI-M score was 43 ± 20. Internal consistency was good for total score (α = 0.90) and individual subscales scores (0.78 emotional, 0.77 physical, 0.74 functional). The total and subscales of DHI-M were strongly correlated with the FES-I (rho = 0.776, 95 % CI [0.58–0.89], p˂0.001). The responsiveness of the DHI-M after one week of maneuver was excellent, with an effect size in all patient's superior to 0.8. Conclusion: The DHI-M demonstrated good psychometric properties for patients with dizziness and can be recommended as a measure of disability and quality of life in Moroccan patients with positional vertigo.