The emPHasis-10 questionnaire is a specialized tool for assessing health-related quality of life in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. A comprehensive validation process was undertaken by researchers in Thailand including forward-backward translation, expert content validity assessment using Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) index by five specialists, and reliability testing with 20 Thai PAH patients using both internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test-retest reliability measures. Results showed strong validity (IOC value 0.94) and excellent reliability.
The validation process highlights critical challenges in cross-cultural adaptation of healthcare instruments. Beyond literal translation, ensuring cultural relevancy requires careful consideration of how different populations experience and express health-related quality of life concepts. The rigorous translation process helped ensure both linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
The validated Thai emPHasis-10 now provides Thai-speaking clinicians with a reliable, culturally sensitive tool for assessing pulmonary arterial hypertension impact on patients’ daily lives, enabling better care and participation in international research.
Citation
Aueyingsak, S., Khankaew, K., Teerawattananant, W. et al. Validity and reliability testing of the Thai version of the emPHasis-10 questionnaire for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Patient Rep Outcomes 10, 30 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-026-01017-0