Translation and linguistic validation of the Persian version of the International consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms

There is no validated measurement tool to assess vaginal symptoms (VS), sexual matter (SS), and quality of life (QOL) among Persian‑speaking women. This study aimed at translating and assessing the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Vaginal Symptoms (PICIQ-VS).

In this cross‑sectional study, after obtaining permission from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) Advisory Board, the English version of ICIQ‑VS was translated into Persian per a standard translate and back translate process, and the validity and reliability were studied. Two hundred women with and without pelvic organ prolapse were asked to complete the PICIQ‑VS (mean age: 52.1, range: 22–84 years). A panel of 10 experts evaluated the content and face validity of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha examined the internal consistency reliability of the measure. To evaluate the test–retest reliability, we redistributed the questionnaire among 30 patients 2 weeks after their initial visit using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Content and face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed after some light modification (content validity ratio ranged from 0.69 to 1.00, and content validity index ranged from 0.79 to 1.00). PICIQ‑VS showed an acceptable internal consistency and stability reliability (VS: α = 0.64, ICC = 0.84; SM: α = 0.69, ICC = 0.88; and total scale: α = 0.72, ICC = 0.91, respectively). Significant differences were observed between the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups for VS and the total score (P < 0.05).

In the light of the results, interestingly, PICIQ-VS could be utilized as a valid and reliable tool to assess the VS among Persian‑speaking women, both in research and clinical practice.