[Quality of life in German-speaking patients with spinal cord injuries and bladder dysfunctions. Validation of the German version of the Qualiveen questionnaire].
BACKGROUND
Neurogenic bladder dysfunctions in patients with spinal cord lesions may cause severe limitations in the quality of life (QoL). For assessment of QoL, a validated questionnaire in French is available. The goal of the study was to validate the German version of the questionnaire.


METHODS
Translation and intercultural adaptation were achieved in cooperation with an institute for health system research. The resulting German version was filled in by 439 patients in 18 centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Data were analyzed regarding clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Quality criteria of the items and scales were tested by a detailed scale analysis.


RESULTS
Of the patients 65.8% were paraplegic and 32.8% were tetraplegic. Internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the questionnaire were very good. Differential effects could be displayed in all clinical variables that were tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The Qualiveen questionnaire is now available as the first instrument in the German language for the evaluation of the influence of bladder dysfunction on QoL in patients with spinal cord lesions.
Pannek
J
J
Schwerpunkt Neuro-Urologie, Marienhospital, Herne. juergen.pannek@paranet.ch
Märk
R
R
Stöhrer
M
M
Schurch
B
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000523:psychology*; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000523:psychology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*