Translation and validation of the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-vaginal symptoms: the simplified Chinese version

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) is a simple and effective questionnaire for evaluating vaginal symptoms, sexual problems and the quality of life (QOL) in patients. This study was aimed at validating the simplified Chinese version of the ICIQ-VS. Methods A total of 120 women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) stage <2, 124 with stage ≥ 2, and 51 patients who underwent POP surgery (POP stage ≥2) were included. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for reliability analysis. We used the content validity index, Kruskal–Wallis H test, and Mann–Whitney U test to study validity. Paired sample t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, effect size and standardized response mean were used to assess sensitivity. Results The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the vaginal symptoms score (VSS) and sexual matters score (SMS) were 0.787 and 0.861 respectively. The test–retest reliabilities of the VSS, SMS, and QOL score were 0.830, 0.894, and 0.948 respectively. The test–retest reliability was from good to excellent (ICC 0.669–0.948). The item-level content validity index was 0.60 to 1.00. The scale-level content validity index/universal agreement was 0.95, and the scale-level content validity index/average was 0.96. Significant score differences existed between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (p < 0.001). Criterion validity was significant (p < 0.001). VSS and QOL score had high sensitivity (p < 0.001, effect size and standardized response mean >0.8). Conclusions The simplified Chinese version of the ICIQ-VS can objectively and reliably access vaginal symptoms, sexual matters, and QOL in Chinese women.