Cough Severity Index in Brazilian Portuguese: Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation

Objective. To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Cough Severity Index to Brazilian Portuguese. Material and methods. This is a study with observational, cross-sectional, and analytical design. The procedure for translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust and was performed in five stages: translation, synthesis, back translation, committee review, and pretesting. The sample for the pretest consisted of 34 participants with refractory chronic cough, 11 males and 23 females, with an average age of 48 years and 1 month. Results. The title of the questionnaire, the answer options, and seven of the ten questions were agreed upon by three judges, the remaining three questions were retranslated by a fourth judge. After back-translation and committee review, editing of question five was necessary. The option never was more frequently selected for four questions and the option always for six questions. There was a significantly higher proportion of other response categories of the instrument compared to the response category not applicable. Conclusion. This study resulted in the elaboration of a translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the Cough Severity Index in Brazilian Portuguese.

Automated summary

This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Cough Severity Index into Brazilian Portuguese. The process included five stages of translation, synthesis, back translation, committee review, and pretesting. The questionnaire was reviewed by judges, and modifications were made based on their feedback. The final version of the translated questionnaire was developed and found to be suitable for use in the Brazilian Portuguese-speaking population.