Conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence of the Brazilian version of the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) instrument for evaluating lower urinary tract dysfunction in children

This article investigates the conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence between the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) originally developed in English and a Portuguese-language version for use in Brazil. The instrument is used to evaluate lower urinary tract dysfunction in children. The first stage evaluated the conceptual and item equivalence, followed by two independent translations of the original instrument into Portuguese. In the second stage, 63 individuals were interviewed and items were modified according to difficulties in interpretation. In the third stage, the Portuguese instrument was back-translated into English, and the semantic equivalence was evaluated, based on referential and general ( connotative) meaning. In the fourth stage, the pre-test version of the instrument was applied to 20 individuals from the target population. The Portuguese version of the instrument is presented with conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence. Nevertheless, unlike the original instrument, DVSS information collection was more adequate for the Brazilian population when performed through interviews as compared to self-applied questionnaires.