Translation and Validation of the American Pain Society-Patient Outcome Questionnaire (Revised) into Arabic

Background: Effective assessment of acute postoperative pain is essential for optimising postoperative outcomes. The American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised (APS-POQ-R) is a widely recognised instrument for evaluating the quality of postoperative pain managment, yet its use among Arabic-speaking patients remains limited by the lack of a validated translation. The present study aimed to systematically translate and validate the APS-POQ-R for use in Arabic-speaking surgical populations, following international guidelines for instrument adaptation. Methods: The original English APS-POQ-R underwent a rigorous translation process encompassing independent forward translation by two native Arabic speakers, reconciliation by a bilingual expert panel, backward translation by independent translators, and review by a multidisciplinary committee. The pre-final Arabic version was pilot-tested with 16 post-abdominal surgery patients using cognitive interviews and debriefing to ensure clarity and cultural relevance. A prospective, cross-sectional validation was conducted involving 150 adult patients in a Libyan tertiary care setting. Statistical validation included assessment of internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and evaluation of construct validity.