Validation of the Brazilian version of the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B-Br)

• We translated the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) into Portuguese.
• This questionnaire was used in 92 patients with burns to validate the BSHS-B.
• It is a reliable tool in this language.
• This questionnaire showed face, content, and construct validity.
• The instrument has been named BSHS-B-Br.

IntroductionProgressive increases in survival rates from burn trauma have shifted attention to patient rehabilitation and posttraumatic quality of life. The assessment of quality of life is strongly dependent on reliable instruments for its measurement. A literature review has revealed that the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire is the most commonly used instrument worldwide.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to translate the BSHS-B into the Portuguese language, adapt it culturally to the Brazilian population, and test its psychometric properties.MethodsThe questionnaire was translated into Portuguese; culturally adapted; and tested for reproducibility, face validity, content validity, and construct validity. The translated version was tested on 92 patients with burns. Internal consistency was tested by means of Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was performed by correlating the BSHS-B questionnaire with the Burn Specific Health Scale-Revised (BSHS-R), BurnSexQ-Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM)/Universidade Federal De São Paulo (UNIFESP), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).ResultsCronbach's alpha was 0.85. The Pearson correlation coefficients were significant at three time points of the reliability analysis. A significant correlation was observed between BSHS-B domains and BSHS-R, and between RSES and BDI domains. A significant correlation was also observed between BSHS-B and the BurnSexQ-EPM/UNIFESP social comfort and body image domains.ConclusionThe BSHS-B questionnaire was translated into Portuguese. It is a reliable tool in this language, showing face, content, and construct validity. The modified instrument has been named BSHS-B-Br.