INTRODUCTION: The primary purpose of reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery is to improve patients' quality of life, and patient-reported outcome measurements are important in outcome assessment of breast surgery. The BREAST-Q questionnaire measures changes in quality of life and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing breast surgery. The aim of this work was to translate and linguistically validate all BREAST-Q modules for use in Denmark.

METHODS: The Danish version of the BREAST-Q was developed through forward translation, back translation and cognitive debriefing following the guidelines from the MAPI Research Trust Foundation and approved by the developers. The aim was to achieve a conceptually equivalent Danish version using colloquial language rather than undertaking a simple literal translation.

RESULTS: A conceptually equivalent Danish version of all five BREAST-Q modules was achieved. The cognitive debriefing revealed good content validity. A cultural difference regarding the Satisfaction with Office Staff Scale was discovered.

CONCLUSIONS: The BREAST-Q can now be used for patients undergoing breast surgery in Denmark to measure change in quality of life and patient satisfaction as part of the outcome assessment. The BREAST-Q may be used for both individual and group measurements in clinical and research settings alike. Data collection with BREAST-Q can provide valuable information for use in clinical counseling of women undergoing breast surgery. A psychometric validation of the Danish version of the BREAST-Q is currently underway.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.