title: Translation and linguistic validation of the Allergy-CONTROL-ScoreTM for use in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptom and medication scores are recommended to measure the primary outcome on allergies. The Allergy Control Score was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess allergy severity in clinical trials and may be used in observational studies of respiratory allergic diseases in many countries. We translated the Allergy Control Score and adapted it for use in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We translated the original English version into Japanese according to the Mapi approach to linguistic validation: conceptual definition, forward translation by two native Japanese speakers, reconciliation, back-translation by an independent translator, review in consultation with original developer, and pilot testing on 12 patients of an allergy clinic and 3 volunteers with seasonal/non-seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two of the ten back-translated items needed slight modifications and some words were revised. In the pilot test, the average time required to complete the questionnaire was 55 seconds for the section on symptoms and 25 seconds for the section on medication. All participants were able to self-complete the questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By applying the Mapi approach to linguistic validation, we ensured a close match between the Japanese and English versions of the Allergy Control Score. The Allergy Control Score Japanese version is accessible and acceptable to persons with respiratory allergic symptoms in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. kanatani.kumiko.2r@kyoto−u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuji Kanatani
authors.forename: Brian Taylor
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Slingsby
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mukaida
authors.forename: Hanako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitano
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haefner
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012660:Semantics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014175:Translating