Validation of a questionnaire for the assessment of pain following ventral hernia repair—the VHPQ

Purpose The aim of this study was to create and evaluate the validity and reliability of a novel ventral hernia pain questionnaire (VHPQ) to assess pain following surgery for ventral hernia. Methods The questionnaire was constructed using focus groups and patient interviews. Validity was tested on 51 patients who responded to the VHPQ and brief pain inventory (BPI) 1 and 4 weeks following surgery. Reliability and internal consistency was tested on 74 patients who had surgery 3 years earlier and received the VHPQ and BPI on two separate occasions. Pain not related to surgery was examined on one occasion using the VHPQ on 100 non-operated people. Results For pain intensity items, a significant decrease was seen from week 1 to week 4 postoperative ( p