Cross-cultural validation of the Dutch version of the Vertigo Symptom Scale – Short Form questionnaire in general practice

Background The Vertigo Symptom Scale – Short Form (VSS-SF) is a widely used questionnaire to measure vestibular symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo. We aimed to translate and cross-culturally validate the Dutch version of the VSS-SF. Methods We performed a psychometric evaluation study in general practice. First, we followed international guidelines to translate the VSS-SF into Dutch. We assessed the comprehensibility of the Dutch translation by interviewing 20 older adults with dizziness. Next, we used data from patients aged 50 years and older with chronic dizziness who participated in British (n=296) and Dutch (n=322) randomized controlled trials to evaluate measurement invariance. In this cross-cultural validation analysis we used ordinal logistic regression to detect potential differential item functioning (DIF) and differential test functioning (DTF). ResultsAccording to the 20 patients we interviewed, the Dutch translation of the VSS-SF was clear and comprehensible. We detected small DIF on 2 of the 15 items of the questionnaire. However, the effect of these DIFs on the overall scale was negligible. ConclusionsWe developed a comprehensible and cross-culturally valid Dutch translation of the VSS-SF. This questionnaire can be used to assess vestibular symptoms in general practice.