Translation and Validation of Bulgarian Version of Scale Standardized Evaluation of Pain – Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy

Abstract

One of the main symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy is pain. Specific scales have been developed that, in combination with neurophysiological methods, can help determine the type of pain. The scale “Standardized evaluation of pain” has shown high sensitivity and specificity to determine the essential characteristics of neuropathic pain. The aim of the study is to translate and validate a scale “Standardized evaluation of pain – neuropathic pain” in Bulgarian. High reliability of the questions of “Standardized evaluation of pain – neuropathic pain – BG” was established with Cronbach's Alpha coefficient equal to 0.82. The questions in the Bulgarian version of “Standardized evaluation of pain – neuropathic pain – BG” are well defined. The validity and reliability of the scale have been confirmed. This gives us reason to recommend the use of the pain assessment scale in clinical practice in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.