Objective: This study translated/cross-culturally adapted the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) into Malay and psychometrically tested the Malay-FAI (FAI-M).
Methods: The FAI-M was created according to international guidelines. Internal consistency/test-retest reliability were assessed with Cronbach's alpha/intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients. Construct and convergent validity were appraised by relating the FAI-M to the Global Oral Health (GOH) questionnaire and Short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (S-OHIP) using Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman's rho correlation (α = 0.05).
Results: Of the 243 participants enrolled, 54.7% (n = 133) had no TMDs, while TMDs were present in 45.3% (n = 110). The FAI-M presented very good internal consistency (α = 0.90) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.99). Theoretically predicted FAI-M score patterns matched the GOH categories, and strong correlations were discerned between FAI-M and S-OHIP (rs = 0.71).
Conclusion: The FAI-M exhibited good psychometric properties and can be applied in Malay-speaking populations.
Keywords: Temporomandibular disorders; prevalence; reliability; translation; validity.