The Chinese Linguistic Validation of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

We validated the Chinese version of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire (USSQ) in patients with an indwelling ureteric stent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The English version of the USSQ was translated into Chinese using a multi-step process by 3 urologists and 2 independent translators. The Chinese version was validated by asking 50 patients with temporary unilateral ureteral stent to complete the questionnaire at weeks 1 and 4 after stent placement. Thirty healthy individuals without a ureteral stent were also asked to complete the Chinese USSQ once. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were analyzed.

RESULTS

After revision of the initial 2 drafts after translation, back translation, and pilot testing, a final draft was developed that underwent field testing. Psychometric analyses revealed satisfactory internal consistencies and test-retest reliability for all domains except for sexual matters. Most USSQ domains showed moderate correlations with each other. It demonstrated satisfactory discriminant validity (sensitivity to change, p < 0.05) and test-retest reliability. Analysis of the domains of the sexual matters was limited because of the small proportion of the study population for whom it was applicable.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the USSQ is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate symptoms and health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with ureteric stents.