Validation of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) in two south- Asian languages

The multifaceted nature of pelvic floor disorders means that a systematic evaluation is required for optimal treatment outcome. It is also generally acknowledged that a valid tool is necessary to objectively assess symptoms reported by affected women.

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) questionnaire was translated to Sinhala and Tamil and a validation study carried out among women attending gynecology clinics at North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, and the district general hospitals Mannar and Vavuniya.

Content validity was assessed by the level of missing answers, which was < 4% and 2% for each item in Sinhala and Tamil, respectively. Construct validity was assessed by the ability of the questionnaire to differentiate between patients and controls. Both differentiated patients from controls on vaginal symptoms score (VSS) (p < 0.001), sexual symptoms score (SSS) (p < 0.01), and quality of life (QoL) (p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) scores and VSS (Sinhala r _s  = 0.64, p < 0.001, Tamil r _s  = 0.65, p < 0.001), and QoL (Sinhala r _s  = 0.49, p < 0.001, Tamil r _s  = 0.60, p < 0.001). Internal consistency as assessed using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha: 0.78 (0.76–0.78) and 0.83 (0.80–0.84) in Sinhala and Tamil, respectively. Test–retest reliability was assessed by weighted kappa scores (Sinhala 0.58–0.88 and Tamil 0.76–0.90). Both questionnaires were sensitive to change and showed that VSS and QoL improved following surgery (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test p < 0.001).

The validated Sinhala and Tamil translations of ICIQ-VS will be useful for assessing vaginal and sexual symptoms among women speaking Sinhala and Tamil.