VISCERAL SENSITIVITY INDEX (VSI-IT): Italian Adaptation and Validation

Abstract

The Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) represents a significant advancement in the assessment of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)-such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. However, an Italian version of the instrument is not yet available for the Italian-speaking population. This study utilized a national sample of 500 individuals divided into four groups: (a) patients with Crohn's disease, (b) patients with ulcerative colitis, (c) patients with IBS, and (d) healthy controls (individuals without any diagnoses) to test the validity and reliability of the Italian VSI. Using back-translation methodology to ensure translation fidelity, this research applied a questionnaire and the VSI through an online format to 500 participants. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that the Italian VSI had excellent psychometric properties, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.949) and construct validity. The scale proved sensitive in detecting significant differences in visceral sensitivity among groups, highlighting its utility as a clinical and research assessment tool. Specifically, the Italian VSI exhibited a unidimensional factorial structure and maintained a strong correlation with interoceptive awareness, type of disease, and gastrointestinal symptom severity, confirming its role in enhancing the understanding and management of IBD and IBS in Italy.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; IBD; IBS; VSI; ulcerative colitis; visceral anxiety; visceral sensitivity.

Figure 1

Boxplot VSI-IT between groups. Legend: The x-axis represents the total VSI-IT score (range 0–75); the y-axis represents the comparison groups, divided according to diagnosis (healthy controls; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; irritable bowel syndrome; subject awaiting for a formal diagnosis).

Figure 2

Boxplot of VSI-IT according to symptom severity. Legend: the x-axis represents the total VSI-IT score (range 0–75); the y-axis represents the comparison groups, divided according to the symptoms severity (absent, mild, moderate, severe).