Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire: Arabic Adaptation and Validation in Dermatology Population

Background: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance, often encountered in dermatologic settings. Objective: This study aims to validate the Arabic Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ), used in the dermatologic setting. Methods: Using previous versions of BDDQ, we developed a scale that considers the dermatologic setting and conditions and translated it into Arabic. The new tool was assessed for its construct, structural, and criterion validity and reliability. Results: The newly developed tool had an appropriate construct validity; it was unidimensional (57% variance explanation), with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.889). The structural (significant inter-item and item-scale Spearman correlation coefficients) and criterion validity measures (AUC = 0.869) were also appropriate. Compared to a physician diagnosis of BDD, two cut-off values were defined for the scale: 11.5 for screening purposes (Se = 100%; Sp = 31%), and 18.5 for diagnostic purposes (Se = 83% and Sp = 83.5%). Conclusion: This study developed and validated a quantitative scale in a dermatology setting, the Arabic BDDQ scale. Further studies are recommended to confirm the scale's efficiency for screening and diagnostic purposes.