title: Translation and validation of the Norwegian version of the fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale (FIQLS) is a condition-specific health-related quality-of-life questionnaire composed of four scales: lifestyle, coping/behaviour, depression/self-perception and embarrassment. It has been widely translated and used as an evaluation tool for patients with fecal incontinence. Our aim was to translate the FIQLS, and to test some of the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The FIQLS was translated to Norwegian, and administered to a sample of 76 patients (73 women) who completed the questionnaire at baseline and again after three weeks. In addition, the severity of incontinence was assessed by phone-interviews (St. Mark's score).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three of four domains had good internal consistency in terms of Cronbach's alpha (.83-.91), the fourth (embarrassment) somewhat lower (.64). Stability over time was acceptable for all domains with ICC ranging from .74 to .86. Correlation with severity of incontinence (St. Mark's score) was medium to large for all four domains (-.46 to -.63) supporting the construct validity of the Norwegian FIQLS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Norwegian version of fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale has been successfully translated and tested.
authors: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, Norway. trond.dehli@unn.no
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Dehli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Martinussen
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mevik
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Stordahl
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Sahlin
authors: R O
authors: RO
authors: Lindsetmo
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Vonen
mesh_terms: D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations