Validation of the VALue of UteruS (VALUS) instrument in brazilian portuguese language for women with uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

To translate and culturally validate the VALue of the UteruS (VALUS) instrument in Brazilian Portuguese language and to identify predictors for VALUS score.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study (February to November 2024) at a tertiary, academic hospital was performed with 164 women presenting symptomatic uterine fibroids (UF) (n=139) or endometrial polyps (n=25) that underwent hysterectomy or myomectomy/polypectomy. The VALUS instrument was translated and culturally validated first. Psychometric variables (internal consistency, test-retest, discriminant validity) were calculated. Women completed the VALUS instrument prior to the decision-making process to undergo surgery. The Uterine Fibroid Symptoms-Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) was also completed for women with UF. Uni- and multivariate linear regression was calculated to seek for associated factors with the VALUS total score.

RESULTS

Women that underwent hysterectomy were older, with higher education, higher parity and frequency of abdominal/pelvic surgeries than the non-hysterectomy group. VALUS scores were statistically higher in the non-hysterectomy for some questions and total score. Internal consistency of the VALUS instrument was excellent (alpha=0.890) and test-retest analysis did not differ between the groups (p=0.891). The UFS-QoL quality of life score presented a negative correlation with VALUS instrument. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that the presence of abdominal/pelvic surgeries was associated with a lower VALUS score.

CONCLUSION

VALUS demonstrated adequate internal consistency and reliability, but with low discriminant validity for the prediction of hysterectomy versus uterine-preservation in women with UF or endometrial polyps. Presence of abdominal/pelvic surgery is associated with a lower VALUS score.