Work

The Validity and Reliability of the Polish Version of the PedsQL™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms Module for Pediatric Patients (Aged 2–18)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Health-related quality of life has come to the forefront of the process of treatment. As a non-quantitative value, it requires the use of specialized tools to be measured. Despite the availability of general HRQoL assessment tools in Polish, a specific instrument for children with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders has not been developed. This study aims to describe the linguistic validity and reliability of the Polish version of the PedsQL™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms Module, which measured health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Methods: The PedsQL™ module, originally in English, was translated according to a structured process. Professional medical translators conducted the translations, and cognitive debriefing was performed with 35 respondents. Field testing involved 371 completed questionnaires (203 adults and 168 children). Results: Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with values generally exceeding 0.8 indicating high reliability. Conclusions: The final Polish version of the PedsQL™ GI Symptoms Module exhibits strong linguistic and content validity, making it suitable for both clinical trials and routine practice. Its use enables a comprehensive, culturally sensitive assessment of HRQoL in pediatric patients with GI disorders, thereby supporting individualized patient care and enhancing the physician–patient communication that is essential for effective treatment.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14041227