Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the Pennsylvania Shoulder Score

Background The Pennsylvania Shoulder Score is a common patient-reported measure of shoulder pain, function, and satisfaction. Cross-cultural adaptation is essential for non-English-speaking populations. Methods This prospective cross-sectional validation of the Arabic Pennsylvania Shoulder Score (PSS-AR) followed translation and cultural adaptation steps. Adults ≥18 years with shoulder pain/dysfunction were recruited from two outpatient clinics. Participants completed the PSS-AR (Pain 0–30; Satisfaction 0–10; Function 0–60; Total = sum, higher = better) and Arabic Simple Shoulder Test (SST-AR; 0–100). Readability was assessed using Automatic Arabic Readability Index (AARI). Stable participants repeated PSS-AR after 5–10 days. Results 219 patients participated; 102 stable individuals completed retesting. AARI showed readability levels of grade 5.24 for PSS-AR and 2.92 for SST-AR, below the recommended sixth-grade threshold. Function showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.96). Exploratory factor analysis supported essential mono-dimensionality: Factor 1 explained 54.90% of variance (factor 2 + 5.19%; cumulative 60.09%) with loadings 0.47–0.85. Convergent validity with SST-AR was strong (Spearman ρ: Total 0.792, function 0.788, pain 0.538; all p < 0.0001). Test–retest reliability was excellent: ICC(2,1) = 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.93–0.97). Mean change was minimal (Δ=−0.47 ± 9.36) without systematic shift (F = 0.09, p = 0.76). SEM was 4.98; MDC individual=13.80 and MDC_group=1.37. Conclusion The PSS-AR is reliable, valid, and culturally appropriate for Arabic-speaking patients.