Ann Coloproctol.  2024 Dec;40(6):588-593. 10.3393/ac.2022.00514.0073.

Validation of the Vietnamese version of the low anterior resection syndrome score questionnaire

• Mai-Phan TA
• Pham VQ

• KMID: 2563041
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2022.00514.0073

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to validate the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score questionnaire in the Vietnamese language among Vietnamese patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer.
Methods
The LARS score questionnaire was translated from English into Vietnamese and then back-translated as recommended internationally. From January 2018 to December 2020, 93 patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery completed the Vietnamese version of the LARS score questionnaire together with an anchored question assessing the influence of bowel function on quality of life. To validate test-retest reliability, patients were requested to answer the LARS score questionnaire twice.
Results
Ninety-three patients completed the LARS score questionnaire, of whom 89 responded twice. The patients who responded twice were included in the analysis of test-retest reliability. Fifty-eight patients had a “major” LARS score. The LARS score was able to discriminate between patients who were obese and those who were not (P<0.001) and between the LAR and AR procedures (P<0.001). Age and sex were not associated with higher LARS scores (P=0.975). There was a perfect fit between the quality of life category question and the LARS score in 56.2% of cases, and a moderate fit was found in 42.7% of cases, showing reasonable convergent validity. The test-retest reliability of 89 patients showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient.
Conclusion
The Vietnamese version of the LARS score questionnaire is a valid tool for measuring LARS.

Keyword

LARS score; Validation; Low anterior resection syndrome; Rectal cancer; Quality of life