Turkish validation of the Hernia-Specific Quality of Life Assessment Instrument

Objective: In this study, we aimed to verify the validity of the Hernia Specific Quality of Life (HERQL) questionnaire, which measures functional performance and postoperative quality of life, in the Turkish language and also to evaluate the quality of life of our patients. Patients and Methods: One hundred and one patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair at Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery between July 2021 and September 2021 were prospectively included in this study. The HERQL questionnaire was administered to patients preoperatively, then on the first day and at the third month postoperatively. Quality of life, summative pain and satisfaction scores were determined as a result of the data. These scores were used for the validation of the questionnaire in Turkish. Additionally, preoperative and postoperative scores were compared with each other. Results: The internal consistency analysis was performed and it was determined that the questionnaire had good reliability in all scales. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all values had a good fit to the established model. Conclusion: Our finding suggest that the HERQL questionnaire has a good reliability and can be used in the Turkish population.