Construct Validity of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (BR-PT-TVSQ).
Impairment of voice and swallowing after thyroidectomy can negatively affect communication, eating and overall quality of life. The Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire was developed to facilitate the early identification and monitoring of voice and swallowing outcomes in patients who have undergone thyroidectomy. While it has been translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese, there is currently no evidence supporting its construct validity.
To examine the construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (BR-PT-TVSQ).
This cross-sectional study included 395 Brazilian individuals undergoing thyroidectomy, mainly female (95.2%), with a mean age of 41.38 ± 11.12 years. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the structural validity of the 20-item BR-PT-TVSQ. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity were analysed through internal correlations.
The EFA suggested a three-factor model with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.947. The CFA confirmed the three-factor model with acceptable goodness-of-fit indices: Factor 1 = voice symptoms; Factor 2 = oropharyngolaryngeal symptoms and Factor 3 = cervical and thoracic discomfort. All three factors presented significant convergent validity. The discriminatory power between Factors 2 and 3 was smaller than in other comparisons.
The BR-PT-TVSQ provided evidence of construct validity for a three-factor model with acceptable structure, convergent and discriminant validity. These sources of validity evidence are crucial to clinically ensure that the TVSQ-PT-BR structure accurately represents the investigated outcomes.
What is already known on this subject The Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) was developed to identify and monitor symptoms related to voice, swallowing and neck discomfort in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The TVSQ has already been translated and culturally adapted into Brazilian Portuguese (BR-PT-TVSQ). However, the BR-PT-TVSQ still lacks validation for other measurement properties, including construct validity. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study demonstrates that the BR-PT-TVSQ has construct validity, featuring three dimensions and acceptable levels of internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. These forms of validity evidence ensure that the structure of the instrument accurately represents the outcomes and dimensions being investigated, making it suitable for clinical use. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The BR-PT-TVSQ is the only tool available in Brazilian Portuguese that has verified construct validity for the early assessment of symptoms related to voice, swallowing and neck discomfort in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. This questionnaire aids in decision-making and the rehabilitation process.
To examine the construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (BR-PT-TVSQ).
This cross-sectional study included 395 Brazilian individuals undergoing thyroidectomy, mainly female (95.2%), with a mean age of 41.38 ± 11.12 years. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the structural validity of the 20-item BR-PT-TVSQ. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity were analysed through internal correlations.
The EFA suggested a three-factor model with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.947. The CFA confirmed the three-factor model with acceptable goodness-of-fit indices: Factor 1 = voice symptoms; Factor 2 = oropharyngolaryngeal symptoms and Factor 3 = cervical and thoracic discomfort. All three factors presented significant convergent validity. The discriminatory power between Factors 2 and 3 was smaller than in other comparisons.
The BR-PT-TVSQ provided evidence of construct validity for a three-factor model with acceptable structure, convergent and discriminant validity. These sources of validity evidence are crucial to clinically ensure that the TVSQ-PT-BR structure accurately represents the investigated outcomes.
What is already known on this subject The Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) was developed to identify and monitor symptoms related to voice, swallowing and neck discomfort in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The TVSQ has already been translated and culturally adapted into Brazilian Portuguese (BR-PT-TVSQ). However, the BR-PT-TVSQ still lacks validation for other measurement properties, including construct validity. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study demonstrates that the BR-PT-TVSQ has construct validity, featuring three dimensions and acceptable levels of internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. These forms of validity evidence ensure that the structure of the instrument accurately represents the outcomes and dimensions being investigated, making it suitable for clinical use. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The BR-PT-TVSQ is the only tool available in Brazilian Portuguese that has verified construct validity for the early assessment of symptoms related to voice, swallowing and neck discomfort in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. This questionnaire aids in decision-making and the rehabilitation process.
Authors
Cândido Cândido, Santos Santos, Almeida Almeida, Nascimento Nascimento, Pernambuco Pernambuco
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