LAUSR

Introduction/Background The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) is a self-questionnaire that assesses quality of life (QoL) of lower limb amputees (LLA). It contains 9 subscales that explore the following areas: ambulation, appearance, frustration, perceived response, residual limb health, social burden, sounds, utility and well-being. An optional addendum of 14 questions that assesses stumbling, falls, attentional load and balance confidence during walking has also been developed and used. Our objective was to develop a French version of this questionnaire (PEQ-F) and to assess its psychometric properties. Material and method International recommendations for translation and cross-cultural validation of questionnaires were followed. Fifty-two subjects (age 53 ± 16, 40 males/12 females, 28/12/12 trans-tibial/gritti-stokes/transfemoral, 21/28/3 ischemic/traumatic/other, years since amputation 10 ± 10) participated. Criterion validity was assessed with the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) between PEQ-F and other constructs (SF-36, Prosthetic-Profile-of-the Amputee-Locomotor-Capabilities-Index, Amputation-Body-Image-Scale, Brief-Pain-Inventory, Trinity-Amputation-and-Prosthesis-Experience-Scales-Revised, Activities-specific-Balance-Confidence-Scale, Timed Up and Go and 2 minutes Walking Tests). Internal consistency was assessed with the α-Cronbach Coefficient (α) and reliability with the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in 48 subjects who completed the questionnaire twice in a 7-day interval. Results PEQ-F scores ranged 46–96/100 (76 ± 11). Criterion validity was verified for the PEQ-F (r = 0.38–0.33, P = 0.008–0.03) and for all tested subscales (r = 0.32–0.50, P = 0.02–0.0002). Internal consistency was satisfactory (α = 0.87). The reliability of the global PEQ-F was excellent (ICC = 0.89[0.82–0.93]), and good to excellent for its subscales (ICC ranging 0.60[0.37–0.75]–0.89[0.82–0.94]). There were no floor or ceiling effect. Conclusion The French version of the PEQ-F has good psychometric properties, comparable to its original version. It offers a holistic evaluation that helps managing LLA patients and identifying personal needs. We promote the use of the whole questionnaire or part of it for both clinical and research purposes.