Validity and Reliability of the Turkish St. Mark's Incontinence Score

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Clinical Medicine
• Medical Devices and Health Technology Assessment

Background:

• Anal incontinence severity is commonly assessed using the St. Mark's Incontinence Score (SMIS).
• Cross-cultural validation of assessment tools is crucial for global health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the St. Mark's Incontinence Score (T-SMIS).
• To establish a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing fecal incontinence in the Turkish-speaking population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional validation study involving 60 anal incontinence patients.
• Translation and back-translation of the original SMIS according to international guidelines.
• Content and construct validity assessed by expert review and factor analysis; reliability evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest correlation.

Main Results:

• The Turkish SMIS (T-SMIS) was confirmed as a valid measure of anal incontinence by expert consensus.
• Adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.76) and high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.72-0.87) were demonstrated.
• The study supports the psychometric soundness of the T-SMIS.

Conclusions:

• The T-SMIS is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing fecal incontinence severity in Turkish patients.
• Adaptation into Turkish facilitates standardized clinical evaluation and international comparability.
• Global applicability of SMIS is highlighted by concurrent Italian validation.