Validation of the Sinhala translation of the International Consultation on Incontinence modular Questionnaire on Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To translate and validate the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire on vaginal symptoms (ICIQ VS) from English to Sinhala. METHOD: ICIQ-VS questionnaire was translated to Sinhala and a validation study was carried out among women attending the gynaecology clinic at North Colombo teaching hospital, Ragama. RESULTS: Basic demographic characteristics of women with prolapse (n=64) versus women without prolapse (n=135) were as follows; Age 55.8 (SD 13.1) years, median parity 2.5 (IQ1- IQ3=2-4), BMI 23.8 kg/m2 (SD 3.2) versus age 42.6 (SD 13.1), median parity 2 (IQ1-IQ3=1-3), BMI 23.2 kg/m2 (SD 2.9) respectively. Content validity was assessed by the level of missing data which was less than 1% for each item. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha scores which ranged from 0.75 to 0.78. Test–retest reliability as assessed by kappa values ranged from 0.54 to 0.80, except for item, ‘vagina too tight’ which demonstrated moderate reliability (kappa 0.41). Construct validity was assessed by the ability of the questionnaire to differentiate between patients and controls. The questionnaire differentiated between patients and controls on vaginal symptoms score (VSS) (p<0.001), sexual symptoms score (SSS) (p<0.05) and quality of life (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) scores and VSS (rs= 0.61, p<0.001), SSS (rs = 0.22, p<0.01) and quality of life (rs = 0.52, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results for ICI Q VS (Sinhala) validation are satisfactory and once completed it will be invaluable to objectively assess vaginal and sexual symptoms in Sinhala speaking population in Sri Lanka.