Validation of the Turkish translation of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score

Background Long-term bowel dysfunction after resection for rectal cancer, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), is observed in many patients. The LARS score was developed to assess this syndrome and its impact on the quality of life in Danish patients. Recently versions in English and many other languages have been validated. The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish translation of the LARS score in patients who have undergone treatment for rectal cancer. Methods Rectal cancer patients who underwent low anterior resection in May 2000- May 2018 in three Turkish centers received the LARS score questionnaire, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment Of Cancer Core Quality of Life questionnaire [Ed.11] (EORTC QLQ-C30), and a single ad hoc quality of life question. The test–retest reliability of the LARS score was evaluated by asking a randomly selected subgroup of patients to repeat the assessment of the LARS score 2 to 4 weeks after their initial response. Results A total of 326 patients were reviewed and contacted for the study, and 222 (68%) were eligible for the analyses (129 males, 93 females, median age 64 years [range:24–87 years, IQR = 14]) There was a strong association between the LARS score and quality of life ( p < 0.01) and the test–retest reliability was high. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.78 (95% CI 0.73–0.83) for the whole study group and 0.79 (95% CI 0.68–0.87) for the subgroup, indicating strong reliability. Conclusions The Turkish translation of the LARS score has psychometric properties comparable with previously published results in similar studies. The Turkish version of the LARS score can be considered a valid and reliable tool for measuring LARS in Turkish rectal cancer patients. Clinical trial registration NCT05289531.