Swedish translation and linguistic validation of the multidimensional dyspnoea profile

Abstract

BackgroundDyspnoea, the feeling of breathing discomfort, consists of multiple dimensions that can vary in intensity, including the level of unpleasantness, qualities or descriptors of the sensation, emotional responses, and impact on function. No validated instrument for multidimensional measurement of dyspnoea is available in Swedish. The Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) was recently developed to measure the unpleasantness, sensory qualities, and emotional responses of dyspnoea across diseases and settings. We aimed to take forward a Swedish version of the MDP.MethodsTranslation and linguistic validation of the MDP was conducted in collaboration with a specialised company in the field (Mapi, Lyon, France). The structured process involved forward and backward translations by two independent certified translators, input from an in-country linguistic consultant, the developers, and three respiratory physicians. Understandability and acceptability were evaluated through in-depth interviews with five patients with dyspnoea in accordance with international guidelines.Results and ConclusionA Swedish version of the MDP was obtained and linguistically validated. The MDP includes 11 rated items: the immediate unpleasantness of the sensation, the presence and intensity of five sensory qualities, and the intensity of five emotional responses to dyspnoea. The time period of measurement is specified by the user. The MDP is copyrighted by the developers but can be used free of charge in the context of non-funded academic research.ConclusionThe MDP is the first instrument for measuring multiple dimensions of dyspnoea available in Swedish and should be validated across diseases and settings. Multidimensional measurement is essential for improved assessment and management of dyspnoea in research and clinical care.

Validation of the Swedish Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) in outpatients with cardiorespiratory disease

“…At baseline, the patient completed a questionnaire on demographics, smoking status and pack-years of smoking, the published linguistically validated Swedish version of MDP 14. The MDP was used in its intended format, including the standardised written instructions rating intensity and unpleasantness of the respiratory sensations 14. The time period used was ‘during the last 2 weeks’.…”

“…The postal questionnaire included repeated measurement of MDP and GIC. The MDP was used in the Swedish linguistically validated version 14. The translation and linguistic validation were performed by specialists in the field (Mapi SAS, Language Services Unit, Lyon, France) in accordance with international guidelines for patient-reported outcomes for interventional trials 25 26…”

“…Baseline characteristics were tabulated using descriptive statistics. The measurement properties of the MDP were evaluated for the total score (sum of A1 unpleasantness score and intensities for the five SQs and five emotional responses; range 0–110), the immediate perception subdomain score (sum of the A1 score and five SQ intensities, range 0–60), emotional response subdomain score (sum of intensities for the five emotional responses, range 0–50)7 11 14 and the immediate unpleasantness of breathlessness (A1 domain, 0–10 NRS). Summary scores, including MDP, CAT and HADS, were set to missing if data on any of the subitems of the score were unavailable, to avoid the influence of missing items on the comparisons.…”

“…The MDP was first tested in response to laboratory stimuli7 and then validated in 151 patients admitted to an emergency department for acute breathlessness (29% had asthma, 27% had COPD, 19% had pneumonia, 13% had heart failure, and 13% had other conditions) 11. The MDP has been translated and used in several languages, including French (language-specific versions for France, Belgium and Canada), German, Dutch (language-specific versions for Belgium and the Netherlands), English (language specific versions for Canada and the UK) and Swedish 7 13 14…”

Dyspnoea-12: a translation and linguistic validation study in a Swedish setting

“…A multidimensional instrument for assessment of dyspnoea in cancer, the Cancer Dyspnoea Scale, has been developed 21 and validated in Swedish, 22 and recently the Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile 13 has been linguistically validated in Swedish. 23 However, a brief and convenient multidimensional instrument that allows comparison across diseases would be of additional value. Until now, there has been no multidimensional instrument for measurement of dyspnoea available in Swedish.…”