Cross-cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of the pediatric constipation score-parent report in pediatric patients with functional constipation in an Iranian population

We evaluated the Persian version of the pediatric constipation score-parent report (PCS) validity and reliability.

Functional constipation in children results in physical and psychological problems. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize a questionnaire to assess the health-related quality of life in children with chronic constipation.

First, our team translated the English version of the questionnaire into the Persian language. Second, the psychometric properties of the Persian version were collected in 149 children with functional constipation referred to a pediatrics hospital by an expert team. We assessed content validity (CV) through the CV index (CVI) and CV ratio (CVR). The construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis, and reproducibility was tested based on test-retest reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was calculatedusing Cronbach's α. we also evaluated the ceiling or floor.

Results showed acceptable CVI in relevancy, clarity, and simplicity, acceptable CVR for all items, moderate internalconsistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.548), and almost perfect reproducibility (ICC=0.93). No ceiling or floor effect was seen.

The Persian version of PCS showed good validity and reliability in children with functional constipation in Iran. Therefore, we can use it in clinical and research domains in Persian-speaking countries.