Validation of "Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy" (SECEL) Questionnaire for Spanish-Speaking Laryngectomized Patients

Simple Summary There is no tool in Spanish that assesses communication-related quality of life in laryngectomized patients. Therefore, we have translated and adapted the SECEL scale from English to Spanish and applied it to a group of patients to test its reliability and validity. As a result, we have observed that the Spanish version of the SECEL questionnaire has the same conceptual, semantic and idiomatic meaning as the original. The resulting model is composed of 21 items that can be used in clinical practice in a reliable way. The test can be considered a suitable tool to assess the communication skills of Spanish-speaking laryngectomees. Background: Laryngectomized patients have communicative limitations when they lose their phonatory function after surgery. The scale "Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy" (SECEL) assesses the impact of total laryngectomy on quality of life related to communication. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the SECEL from English to Spanish and to apply this first version to a group of patients to check its reliability and validity. Materials and Methods: One-hundred-and-one laryngectomized patients completed the SECEL scale adjusted to Spanish, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire. Results: The Spanish version of the SECEL questionnaire has the same format and conceptual, semantic and idiomatic meaning as the original. The resulting model is composed of 21 items dimensioned in two highly correlated factors that are clear, meaningful, and replicable leading to measures that are reliable enough to be used in clinical evaluation. Conclusion: The Spanish translation and validation of the SECEL questionnaire were performed. It can be considered an appropriate tool to assess communication skills from laryngectomized people.