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Cultural adaptation and validation of the Wexner scale in patients with anal incontinence in a Brazilian population

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Jorge and Wexner devised a questionnaire for anal incontinence (AI), known as the Wexner scale (WS). Specific validated questionnaires are essential for the assessment of symptom severity. The objective was to accomplish the cultural adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the WS.

Methods

The WS was validated according to the international criteria. A Brazilian version was tested, including the item “I do not understand” at the end of each question. If this answer was reported at a rate higher than 15 %, the item would be considered difficult to understand and would thus be modified. The final version of the WS and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) were completed by 50 women. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the data from the first interview of the WS with the FIQL using Spearman’s test. Reproducibility was assessed by means of a 2-week test–retest procedure using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Results

In the initial version of the questionnaire, we did not obtain a response of “I do not understand” at a rate greater than 15 % and this version was considered definitive. A significant negative relationship (r = −0.63) was found between the FIQL total score and the WS. The answers obtained on the “test–re-est” questionnaires showed a significant correlation according to the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A high level of internal consistency was found, as demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.932.

Conclusion

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WS is a reliable, consistent, and valid instrument.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Urogynecology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 190 CEP, 30130100, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Andrea Moura Fonseca, Mariana Furtado Meinberg, Marilene Vale Monteiro & Agnaldo Lopes Filho

  2. Minas Gerais foundation of support research (FAPEMIG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Débora Vianna Lucas

  3. Section of Urogynecology, Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Elyonara Mello Figueiredo

  4. Division of Colorectal Surgery of the Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Leonardo Fonseca

Authors
  1. Andrea Moura Fonseca
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  2. Mariana Furtado Meinberg
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  3. Débora Vianna Lucas
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  4. Marilene Vale Monteiro
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  5. Elyonara Mello Figueiredo
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  6. Leonardo Fonseca
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  7. Agnaldo Lopes Filho
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea Moura Fonseca.

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Funding

Minas Gerais Foundation of Support Research (FAPEMIG).

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Fonseca, A.M., Meinberg, M.F., Lucas, D.V. et al. Cultural adaptation and validation of the Wexner scale in patients with anal incontinence in a Brazilian population. Int Urogynecol J 27, 959–963 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-015-2927-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-015-2927-y

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