【Abstract】Objective To introduce the 14-item uremic pruritus in dialysis patients scale (14-item Updial scale), translate the scale, test the reliability and validity of the scale, and then evaluate its usefulness in Chinese patients. Methods We translated and back-translated the original scale to set up the Chinese version scale. Reliability and validity of the Chinese version scale was examined in 270 dialysis patients with uremic pruritus. Reliability was tested by Cronbach's α coefficient, test- retest reliability, and correlation coefficient between each item and the total score of the scale. Content validity of the scale was evaluated by content validity index (CVI). Criterion related validity was tested by the correlation between the Chinese version scale and the visual analogue scale. Construct validity was tested by exploratory factor analysis. Results The scale is composed of 14 questions, which are divided into 3 dimensions: symptoms and signs (itch duration, itching degree, itching size, lesions from scratching, feel numb, crawling like ants or insects, and dry skin), sleep (difficulty to fall asleep, waking up during the night, interfere sleep quality), and social psychology (work/study, social interaction, mood, and any sexual difficulties). The Cronbach's α of the 3 subscales and the whole scale were 0.749, 0.710, 0.845 and 0.894 respectively. The test-retest reliability coefficients of the 3 subscales and the whole scale were 0.968, 0.951, 0.977 and 0.976 respectively (P<0.001). The correlation coefficients between each item and its dimensional subscale and the whole scale were 0.413~0.892 (P<0.001). The item-level
content validity index (CVI) of item 5 (feel numb) and item 14 (any sexual difficulties) were both 0.83, and the remaining items were all 1.00. The average scale-level CVI was 0.98. Criterion related validity was 0.809 (P<0.001). KMO test value was 0.907. The spherical Bartlett test obtained χ2=1837.141 (υ =91, P<0.001). The result of exploratory factor analysis showed that three common factors explained 61.81% of the total variance. Conclusion The Chinese version of 14-item uremic pruritus in dialysis patients scale has good reliability and validity, which can be used to evaluate uremic pruritus in dialysis patients in China.