Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire (COPS): creation and validation of the Polish language version

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a disabling mental disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with appearance. Trying to fix imagined defects many individuals with BDD search for aesthetic dermatology treatments. Due to omitting preliminary evaluation for BDD in subjects undergoing cosmetic procedures and lack of proper diagnostic tools among this group of individuals, the results of such interventions may face their disapproval and disappointment.

To translate and validate the Polish version of a Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire (COPS), which can be used in a cosmetic procedure setting to screen patients suspected to be suffering from BDD.

Both forward and backward translations of the original English version of the questionnaire to Polish were performed in accordance with international standards. The validation was conducted on 33 individuals undergoing aesthetic procedures, who completed the questionnaire twice with 3-6 days' interval. Moreover, the subjects were also asked to fill the Polish versions of BIQLI (Body Image Quality of Life Inventory) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) for convergent validity procedure.

The Polish version of COPS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient value of 0.76) and reproducibility (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC, of 0.79). COPS correlated strongly with BIQLI (r = -0.66, p < 0.01) as well as with HADS, in both depression and anxiety subscales (r = 0.68, p < 0.01 and r = 0.66, p < 0.01, respectively).

The Polish version of the COPS questionnaire showed sufficient internal consistency and reliability. It can be used for BDD screening among the Polish speaking subjects undergoing aesthetic dermatology procedures.