Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Male Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module^*

Objective: describe the cultural adaptation process of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Male Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module, as well as to analyze validity and reliability of its Brazilian version in men experiencing urinary symptoms.

Method: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 men with urinary symptoms who were being followed-up at the Urology outpatient clinic of an Oncology hospital. The internal structure validity evidence was assessed using the four items of the questionnaire, both through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, reliability was analyzed employing the Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω coefficients. The evidence of validity in the relationship with external variables was assessed using Spearman’s correlation with the International Prostate Symptom Score and Male Sexual Quotient.

Results: significant evidence of content validity, response process and a single factor that explained 78% of the variance were detected, with factor loadings ranging between 0.54 and 0.97. Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω were close to 0.95, indicating satisfactory reliability. A moderate positive correlation was found between the questionnaire used and the International Prostate Symptom Score (r=0.67), as well as a strong negative correlation with the Male Sexual Quotient (r=-0.84), supporting good evidence of validity in the relationship with external variables.

Conclusion: the Brazilian version of the questionnaire showed strong validity and reliability evidence to assess sexual dysfunctions in the study population.

Descriptors:
Men’s Health; Sexual Dysfunction Physiological; Validation Study; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Surveys and Questionnaires

Highlights:

(1) ICIQ-MUTSsex is a valid and reliable assessment questionnaire. (2) ICIQ-MUTSsex can be used in research and clinical practice. (3) The questionnaire assesses sexual dysfunctions in Brazilian men with urinary symptoms.