The urinary disorder-specific quality of life in patients after spinal cord injury: Polish translation, adaptation and validation of the Qualiveen and SF-Qualiveen.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective cohort validation study.

OBJECTIVES

In spinal cord injury (SCI), neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is associated with a reduced quality of life. No specific questionnaire has been translated, culturally adapted, and validated into Polish language to assess urinary disorder-specific quality of life in people after SCI. In this study, we translated, adapted, and validated the Polish versions of the Qualiveen and SF-Qualiveen in individuals with SCI.

SETTING

University Hospital in Krakow, Poland.

METHODS

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Qualiveen and SF-Qualiveen were done using international recommendations and well-established methods. Adult patients with SCI from the Department of Urology at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland completed the Polish versions of the Qualiveen, SF-Qualiveen, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) at baseline and 2 weeks later. The ICIQ-SF served as the reference instrument. Validity and reliability were determined.

RESULTS

Polish-speaking patients with SCI (n = 178) were included. Content validity/cross-cultural adaptation of the translated questionnaires was investigated during face-to-face interviews. Construct/criterion validity was assessed, and positive correlations were found between the Qualiveen and ICIQ-SF as well as the SF-Qualiveen and ICIQ-SF. A reliability study revealed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.8) for both adapted questionnaires. We did not identify floor or ceiling effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The Polish versions of the Qualiveen and SF-Qualiveen showed good measurement properties. Polish healthcare providers can now reliably and directly assess the urinary disorder-specific quality of life in individuals after SCI.