Translation and cultural adaptation of the Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score (PEESS v2.0)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo translate and culturally adapt the Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score (version 2.0), a tool used to assess pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms reported by patients and/or their parents/caregivers. MethodsThe Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score was translated through the following stages: initial translation, back‐translation, and consensus of independent reviewers through the Delphi technique. The pre‐final version of the Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score was applied to five 8‐to‐18‐year‐old patients and to ten parents of two‐to‐18‐year‐old patients from an outpatient pediatric gastroenterology service (pre‐test). ResultsDuring the translation process, no translations presenting with difficult consensus in the review process or grammar inconsistencies were observed. During the pre‐test, difficulties in comprehension of some unconventional terms, e.g., “náusea”, were observed. Adverbs of frequency, such as “quase nunca” were also identified as being of difficult understanding by patients and parents, and the substitution by the term “raramente” was suggested. Such difficulties may be inherent to the pediatric age group. Age 8 years or above should be considered adequate for the self‐reporting of symptoms. ConclusionsThe study presents the Brazilian version of the Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score, which is adapted to the Brazilian culture. This version may be introduced as a clinical and research tool for the assessment of patients with esophagic disease symptoms. The Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score is a breakthrough in the evaluation of symptoms of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis, since it reinforces the importance of self‐reporting by patients who experience this disease.