Validation of the Arabic Xerostomia Questionnaire ( XQ ‐A): A National Study Among Head and Neck Cancers

ABSTRACT Background Xerostomia is a common acute and late adverse effect of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Aims/Objectives This study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the eight‐item self‐reported Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) and to evaluate its psychometric properties among patients undergoing radiotherapy for HNC. Material and Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in the Radiotherapy Unit. The XQ was translated into Arabic following established international guidelines. A total of 187 patients completed the questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and McDonald's omega. Convergent‐related validity was examined. Results The results confirmed a unidimensional structure of XQ with CFA ( χ 2 (28) = 52.1, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.996; TLI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.068; SRMR = 0.013). All items loaded significantly onto a single factor. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.952 (range 0.93–0.96) and McDonald's ω = 0.948. Test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.93). The correlations with the SDQ and MNA‐SF supported convergent‐related validity. Conclusions and Significance The Arabic XQ shows excellent psychometric performance and is suitable for assessing xerostomia severity in Arabic‐speaking patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy.