Spanish translation and cultural adaptation of the 5-D itch scale in burn patients

The objective of this study was to make an equivalent and culturally adapted translation of an already existing scale for itching, the 5-D itch scale (5-D IS), developed as a short questionnaire and designed to measure pruritus, in order to be applied in a Spanish-speaking population. The 5-D IS consists of five sections that evaluate duration, degree, direction, disability and distribution of itching. The adequate translation process was performed according to the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Two forward translations, one backwards translation, harmonization by an expert panel, and cognitive interviews with patients were included. The result was a culturally adapted Spanish version of the 5-D IS which was then field-tested in a burn population with an internal reliability of 0,83, considered good. As pruritus and pain are bothersome symptoms present in more that 90% of burned patients during the rehabilitation phase, this culturally adapted scale allows Spanish speakers clinicians to easily objectivize the severity of pruritus and measure the impact of any intervention or treatment.