Arabic version of the visual vertigo analogue scale for assessment visual vertigo syndrome

Objectives: To standardize the Arabic language version of the visual vertigo analogue scale (VVAS) and to determine its reliability and validity. It is a simple and supplemental kind of assessments of visual vertigo syndrome. Methods: The Arabic VVAS (AVVAS) was developed using the cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. The scale was tested by 70 patients with visual vertigo (VV) (patient group) and 100 normal subjects (control group). Participants’ responses were statistically analyzed for internal consistency between both groups. Repeatability was calculated using Spearman correlation on a subgroup of 30 control subjects and 40 VV patients after 1 week. Receiver operating characteristic curve was performed in order to select the optimal cut-off level. Results: showed a significantly good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83 for patients group, and 0.73 for controls). A significant difference was found in AVVAS scores between both groups (p = < 0.001). Test- retest reproducibility confirmed reliability of AVVAS. The AVVAS total scores of patients with VV were significantly different than controls. The optimal cut-off score for AVVAS was 17 (sensitivity 80%, specificity82%). Conclusion: The AVVAS can be considered a reliable, valid and helpful screening tool to quantify self- perceived handicapped that result from visual vertigo.