Abstract
Background: The BHQ is a new health-related quality of life questionnaire, developed in British English for patients with bronchiectasis.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to present the results of the translation of the BHQ into 11 languages, i.e., 9 Indo-European (Dutch for Belgium and The Netherlands, English for the USA, French for Belgium and France, German, Italian, and Spanish for Spain and the USA), one Japonic (Japanese), and one Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin).
Methods: In each country, the following translation method (i.e., linguistic validation) was used: 1. In-depth analysis of the original (i.e., concept definition) and suggestion of translation alternatives; 2. Forward/backward translation step (or adaptation for English and Spanish versions); and 3. Review by a clinician.
Results: The translation process did not reveal any cultural issues since most of the concepts assessed were cross-culturally relevant. The main difficulties consisted in finding conceptual equivalents to the response choices designed as Likert-type scales in 7 points (e.g., “All of the time” to “None of the time”). In all countries, translators ensured that the continuity of time was kept between all versions using either adverbs or synonyms (e.g., “Always” for “All of the time”). Items 2, 5 and 10 generated most discussion across languages for idiomatic or syntactic reasons. The clinicians' review proved useful to clarify the concept of “clear chest” in item 4, i.e., meaning “chest clear of sputum or congestion,” and led to changes in wording.
Conclusion: The rigorous translation methodology was essential in producing 11 translations of the BHQ conceptually equivalent to the original.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016