Validation of the reflux disease questionnaire for an Italian population of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

摘要: Background/aims The reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) is a very simple based on only 12 questions that can be answered and evaluated quickly in primary care setting, which was already found to valid reliable the diagnosis of gastroesophageal (GERD). As an English German version RDQ exist, but not Italian one, we aimed at translating into evaluating its reliability for use Italian-speaking GERD patients. Patients/methods For purpose linguistic validation, translated backward forward original again English. assessing internal consistency, test-retest, interrater reliability, 130 patients were used, whom 57 had endoscopic oesophagitis grade A C according Los Angeles classification 63 uninvestigated symptoms with frequency heartburn and/or regurgitation least twice week. Results After professional translation, judged retain fully meaning RDQ. Internal as by (Cronbach's alpha) satisfactory, overall scale alpha=0.86 (minimum acceptable value=0.70). Test--retest (Spearman coefficient) optimal, individual item values ranging between 0.74 (for 'pain upper stomach: frequency') 0.90 'burning feeling behind breastbone: severity'). Finally, correlation coefficient 0.96 total range 0.85-0.98 items, indicating extremely satisfactory concordance. Conclusions appears simple, reproducible, tool GERD. We believe this well suited use, both settings epidemiological studies, particular assessment so-called typical symptoms.