Translation and testing of an Italian Child-Friendly version of EQ-5D.

Aim: To develop a valid and reliable Italian version of the Child-Friendly EQ-5D (CF-EQ-5D), as a part of the CF-EQ-5D harmonization project. Methods: This work is performed in 3 steps: 1) translation of CF-EQ-profile with a forward-backward-forward approach; preparation of different versions of CF-EQ-VAS, 2) pilot study with cognitive interviews and 3) final study involving a sample of children/adolescents aged 8-15 years, resident in different areas of Italy, with different health states. Results: Following results pertain to the translation of the International version of CF-EQ-profile. Three independent forward translations were done by 3 Italians with fluency in English: two had experience in quality of life research and instruments development, one of these member of the CF-EQ task force group, and one was a professional translator. The 3 versions were discussed in a teleconference involving the translators, psychologists qualified in interviews with children, people with experience in quality of life research, the Italian members of the EQ task force group. A reconciled Italian version was obtained without important difficulties in most of the items. The words “heading” in the instruction, and “mobility”, “usual activities”, “discomfort” in the headings, were found quite difficult to translate. The reconciled version was backwardly translated by an English person with fluency in Italian. This English version was forward-translated into Italian: few potential differences were found between the 2 Italian versions and further discussed to be clarified. Discussion: An Italian CF-EQ-5D version is now available and will be administered to 8-15 y.o. people to test its psychometric properties.