Translation of the ICIQ-bladder diary and its validation among Chinese females with lower urinary tract symptoms

Purpose To translate the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ)-bladder diary into Chinese and validate it among Chinese women with lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods After receiving permission to translate and validate the ICIQ-bladder diary from Bristol Urological Institute, a Chinese ICIQ-bladder diary was developed through translation, re-translation and cultural adaption. Subsequently, we tested its reliability, validity and responsiveness and evaluated its optimal record duration among females with lower urinary tract symptoms. Results A total of 146 participants were recruited in the study. We interviewed eight women about the content and format of the ICIQ-bladder diary, and they all thought it was clear and easy to use. Nineteen women completed the ICIQ-bladder diary twice with a 2-week interval. The resulting agreement of each item fluctuated between 0.582 and 0.940. A total of 11 urologists and nurses evaluated its content validity, and the experts' authority was 0.94 +/- 0.06. The item content validity index of the ICIQ-bladder diary was 0.909-1.000, and the scale content validity index was 0.974. Another 22 women recorded their information in the ICIQ-bladder diary pre- and post-treatment, which showed a significant difference (P < 0.01), demonstrating rigorous responsiveness. Eighty-six women completed the ICIQ-bladder diary for 4 days, and the optimal duration of the ICIQ-bladder diary was tested as 3 days. Conclusions The Chinese ICIQ-bladder diary demonstrates good stability, strong content validity and rigorous responsiveness among Chinese women with lower urinary tract symptoms.