Dados do Trabalho

Título

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of Stanford Cataplexy Questionnaire

Resumo

Introduction: Cataplexy is the most specific REM clinical manifestation of narcolepsy, and it is characterized by a sudden and involuntary episode of loss of muscle tone during wakefulness. Cataplexy cannot be easily recognized when clinical features are atypical or when the physician is unfamiliar with its characteristics. The unstructured clinical interview is the only diagnostic method most common, and the diagnosis by targeted questionnaire might help identify cataplexy.
Methods: Stanford cataplexy questionnaire is a self-applied 51-question questionnaire. This validation consisted of an initial translation and back-translation from English into Brazilian Portuguese of the questionnaire followed by a pilot study including 10 participants for the cultural adaptation of the scale. The application of the final version to 155 different participants, with 35 narcoleptic patients, was made.
Results: 155 consecutive patients, aged 18-85 years old, completed the questionnaire. Cultural adaptations were made to a better comprehension of patients. The Brazilian version of the Stanford cataplexy questionnaire showed similar results to those depicted in the original version.
Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Stanford cataplexy questionnaire showed to be a valid tool for assessing the patients with suspicion of having cataplectic events and has a potential impact on clinical decisions.

Palavras Chave

Sleep, Narcolepsy, Cataplexy, Validity, Questionnaire, Portuguese