Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) scale for use in a Libyan population R. A. Elzahaf, O. A. Tashani, B.A. Unsworth and M. I. Johnson Centre for Pain Research, Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK The self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S- LANSS) is used to identify pain of neuropathic origin and has been validated (Bennett, et al. 2005). This research was to translate the S-LANSS from English to Arabic for subsequent use in a survey of chronic pain in Libya. Introduction Methods There were strong correlations between items in the Arabic and English S-LANSS (table 1). Results Conclusion The final Arabic version of S-LANSS is reliable and linguistically valid to use in Libyan population. A study of a large sample in Libya is needed to confirm that this Arabic version is suitable to be used by non- educated and older members of Libyan Society. References Bennett, M.(2001) The LANSS Pain Scale: The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs. Pain, 92(1), pp Bennett, M.I., et al. (2005) The S-LANSS Score for Identifying Pain of Predominantly Neuropathic Origin :Validation for Use in Clinical and Postal Research. J Pain, 6(3), pp Wild D., et al. (2005) Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes (Pro) Measures: Report of the ISPOR Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation. Value Health, 8(2), pp S-LANSS Items TotalPain Scor e Correlation (r) P value The Arabic version identified 6 participants (46.2%) as having signs and symptoms of neuropathic pain (i.e. scoring more than 12 on total S-LANSS). The original English S-LANSS identified 5 (38.5%) of these 6 participants. Numerical Rating Pain Scale scores in English and Arabic versions were correlated, IntraClass Correlation, (r=0.883, p=0.000). Five Arabic speaking health professionals fluent in both languages independently translated the S-LANSS into Arabic. A sequence of translation and back-translation then followed to produce a final version of the Arabic S-LANSS which was then completed by 13 Libyan nationals living in the UK who had experienced pain (age range 25 to 51 years, 6 females) (Figure 1) These 13 participants completed the original English S-LANSS one week later. Test re-test reliability was performed by correlating answers of the Arabic and English questionnaires. Table1: IntraClass Correlation between the English and Arabic version Arabic Language version 1 Arabic Language version 3 Arabic Language version 2 Arabic Language version 4 Translate English version of the questionnaire to Arabic by 5 medical professionals fluent in both languages Review by other medical professionals Testing of Arabic version on 13 Libyan participants who living in the UK Translate back into English by Translator who has not seen the original English version Review by the Researcher Discuss problems which arise in the pilot study and resolve them Discussion Reconciliation Comparison Discussion with other member of research Figure 1: showing translation of questionnaire Figure 2: IntraClass Correlation between the total score of English and Arabic version Final Arabic Language version Arabic Language version 1 Translate back into English by Translator who has not seen the original English version