The reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) Questionnaire in Arabian systemic sclerosis patients

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune multi-systemic disease with predominant affection of connective tissue. Skin is characteristically affected in SSc and is almost responsible for oral complications as well as aesthetic changes which affect the patient’s oral health-related quality of life. The Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) Questionnaire is the first tool to subjectively calculate the handicap associated with mouth disability in SSc patients. This study aimed to test for reliability, the validity of the Arabic version of the MHISS to be used in Arabian systemic sclerosis. Results This study was conducted on 38 females with SSc with a mean age of 48.7 ± 5.01 years and a mean disease duration of 6.23 ± 3.14 years—18 patients (47.4%) have diffuse SSc while 20 (52.6%) have localised SSc. The mean value of the total MHISS for SSc patients was 12.21 ± 3.51, test–retest reliability of the Arabic version was excellent (ICC = 0.991) with excellent internal consistency (Chronbach’s α = 0.892) with significant negative correlation with mouth opening ( r = − 0.512, p