CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION Of RESEARCh DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA fOR TEmPOROmANDIBULAR DISORDERS (RDC/TmD)

Introduction: the goal of this study was to establish the cross-cultural adaptation of Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Methods: with a test-retest design, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of RDC/TMD in their Spanish version. Bilingual subjects were evaluated in order to test consistency between the Spanish and English versions of the instrument, including axis I (clinical conditions of TMD) and axis II (psychosocial aspects related to TMD). Results: the reliability of axis I test re-test for diagnosis classification was excellent (Kappa = 1,0). The reliability analysis of axis I test-retest for classifying different diagnoses was also excellent (Kappa = 1,0). Concerning axis II, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) (0,96) as well as for Jaw Disability Checklist (JDC) (0,77), depression (0,87), and nonspecific physical symptoms (0,98). Also, Cronbach's Alpha for JDC was calculated (0,89). Spearman correlations among axis II reagents showed a median of correlation of 0.50 (0.293 to 0.856) with high values between JDC and GCPS. These correlations provide support for internal consistency of RDC/TMD in Spanish. Conclusion: the demonstrated validity and reliability of the RDC/TMD lie in thier psychometric properties. The cross-cultural adaptation of this instrument allows its use in Spanish-speaking populations for the assessment of the role of TMD in this population.