Validation of the traditional Chinese version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL) in a Mandarin-speaking Taiwanese population

Abstract

ObjectiveTo validate the traditional Chinese translated version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL). Materials and MethodsThe P-QOL questionnaire was translated into traditional Chinese characters and administered to women recruited from gynecologic outpatient clinics of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. After the test–retest reliability and internal consistency were established in a pilot study, all participants completed the P-QOL questionnaire and were examined in the lithotomy position using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q). The construct validity was assessed by comparing symptom scores and quality-of-life domain scores between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. ResultsOf the 244 women recruited, 159 were symptomatic for pelvic organ prolapse, and 85 were asymptomatic. The test–retest reliability confirmed a significant positive monotonic correlation between the total scores of each domain (n = 30, Spearman's rho was from 0.411 to 0.888, p < 0.05 of all). All items achieved a Cronbach α > 0.80 showing good internal consistency. Among the 18 symptom questions, the scores differed significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic women for 12/18 symptom questions. These 12 questions referred to the prolapse/vaginal symptoms. All the quality of life domains differed significantly (p < 0.05) between symptomatic and asymptomatic women except for the domain of sleep/energy (p = 0.108). ConclusionThe traditional Chinese language version of the P-QOL is a reliable instrument for the assessment of symptom severity and impact on quality of life in women with pelvic organ prolapse.