title: [Episodic breathlessness: translation and consenting of the international definition using the Delphi method].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Similar to pain, refractory breathlessness can occur episodically. Episodic Breathlessness is a distressing symptom in patients with advanced life-limiting disease. The lack of a universal definition impedes symptom understanding in clinical practice and effective management, respectively. The aim of the study was to formally consent a German translation of the English definition and terminology of episodic breathlessness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based Delphi survey was conducted with German breathlessness experts (breathlessness working group of Germany's National Guideline (S3) for Palliative Care). Drafts of German-language definitions und terminology were assessed using structured questionnaires by binary rating or rankings, respectively. Optional comments were analysed by content analysis. Consensus was defined by ≥ 70% agreement among participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In two resulting Delphi-rounds 8/16 (50%) und 11/16 (69%) experts, 30-59 years of age, 50%/55% female, participated. After the second round, consensus was reached for the symptom's description "Atemnotattacke" (73%) and a German-language definition (90%). The terms "vorhersehbar" vs. "unvorhersehbar" were directly consented for the categorization (88%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The formally consented German definition and terminology of episodic breathlessness enable clearer symptom understanding and provide a precise basis for education and research on the symptom and its management also in Germany. Effective management options are warranted to improve quality of life of suffering patients and their relatives.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Uniklinik Köln.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Uniklinik Köln.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Weingärtner
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Uniklinik Köln.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voltz
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Palliativmedizin Klinikum der Universität München.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bausewein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D009626:Terminology as Topic