Resumen de Translation and cultural adaptation to portuguese of a quality of life questionnaire for patients with melasma
Dermatoses, mainly those with important esthetic involvement, can produce a significant impact in the social, familiar and professional life of patients.
Among these diseases, melasma is distinguished by its relapsing hyperchromic macules, with disappointing therapeutic results. Considering all these features, besides the objective evaluation of the therapeutic results, the dimension of the disease influence on the quality of life is considered of similar relevance. This influence is measured by validated questionnaires, most of them written in English. Its translation and cultural adaptation are necessary steps before being applied to people whom speak other languages. This study describes the translation and adaptation to Portuguese of the quality of life questionnaires developed for patients with Melasma (MELASQoL), according to the rules established by the World Health Organization. In summary:
two independent literal translations to Portuguese; review by a health professionals bilingual group; application of the first version to 10 volunteer patients that agreed to report their opinion; discussion of items and administration procedures; back-translation to English; evaluation by the original author; review by the bilingual group and formatting of the final Portuguese questionnaire. The version and routine application of the MELASQoL instrument will allow a significant improvement on the individual evaluations as well as the participation on multi center studies, producing consistent and comparable results.
