Validation of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire in Uganda

TL;DR: The authors' Luganda language SGRQ accurately distinguishes between COPD-positive and negative community members in rural Uganda, and it is found that it can be successfully used as a respiratory questionnaire for obstructed adults in Uganda.

Abstract: Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will soon be the third leading global cause of death and is increasing rapidly in low/middle-income countries There is a need for local validation of the Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), which can be used to identify those experiencing lifestyle impairment due to their breathing Methods The SGRQ was professionally translated into Luganda and reviewed by our field staff and a local pulmonologist Participants included a COPD-confirmed clinic sample and COPD-positive and negative members of the community who were enrolled in the Lung Function in Nakaseke and Kampala (LiNK) Study SGRQs were assembled from all participants, while demographic and spirometry data were additionally collected from LiNK participants Results In total, 103 questionnaires were included in analysis: 49 with COPD from clinic, 34 community COPD-negative and 20 community COPD-positive SGRQ score varied by group: 535 for clinic, 344 for community COPD-positive and 41 for community COPD-negative (p c statistic for SGRQ total score predicting COPD was 087 (95% CI 075 to 100) SGRQ total score was associated with COPD severity (forced expiratory volume in 1 s per cent of predicted), with an r coefficient of −060 (−075, −039) SGRQ score was associated with dyspnoea (OR 105/point; 101, 109) and cough (107; 103, 111) Conclusion Our Luganda language SGRQ accurately distinguishes between COPD-positive and negative community members in rural Uganda Scores were correlated with COPD severity and were associated with odds of dyspnoea and cough We find that it can be successfully used as a respiratory questionnaire for obstructed adults in Uganda