title: The German linguistic validation of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire (USSQ).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed and validated the German version of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire (USSQ) for male and female patients with indwelling ureteral stents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The German version of the USSQ was developed following a well-established multistep process. A total of 101 patients with indwelling ureteral stents completed the German USSQ as well as the validated questionnaires International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) or International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patients completed questionnaires at 1 and 2-4 weeks after stent insertion and 4 weeks after stent removal. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the psychometric properties of the questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The German version of the USSQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .72-.88) and test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = .81-.92]. Inter-domain associations within the USSQ showed substantial correlations between different USSQ domains, indicating a high conceptual relationship of the domains. Except from urinary symptoms and general quality of life, German USSQ showed good convergent validity with the corresponding validated questionnaires. All USSQ domains showed significant sensitivity to change (p ≤ .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new German version of the USSQ proved to be a reliable and robust instrument for the evaluation of ureteral stent-associated morbidity for both male and female patients. It is expected to be a valid outcome measure in the future stent research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abt
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Caritas-St. Josef Medical Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dötzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Honek
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Daniel Stephan
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Engeler
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Caritas-St. Josef Medical Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanguedolce
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Hrishi B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Caritas-St. Josef Medical Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. hans-martin.fritsche@klinik.uni-regensburg.de.
authors.forename: Hans-Martin
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1775-4303
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fritsche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053159:Dysuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015607:Stents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: DJ stent; German validation; Quality of life; Questionnaires; USSQ; Ureter