Abstract: Objective To translate the English questionnaire of use of sleep medication (Q-USM) in elderly people and to analyze its psychometrics character. Methods A methodological study carried out in six steps: authorization of the translation of the questionnaire, across-cultural adaptation, back-translation, analysis by expert committee, pre-testing and the evaluation of psychometric properties. Psychometric properties, including item analysis (the extreme group comparison and item-total correlations), content validity (item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index (S-CVI)), construct validity confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency (Cronbach α and test-retest reliability), were measured. Results The instrument was translated and cross-culturally adapted and its final version consisted of 12 items. The translated Q-USM had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α=0.76). The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.97. The S-CVI was 0.98. CFA showed that the three-factor model explained 56.56% of the total variance, indicating good model fit (likelihood ratio χ²/df=3.75, incremental fit index=0.86, comparative fit index=0.86, goodness-of-fit index=0.89, adjusted goodness-of-fit index=0.84 and standardized root mean square error of approximation=0.09). Conclusion With good reliability and validation, the translated Q-USM provides reference for assessment of sleep medication use in elderly people and for developing related strategies by heath care system.

Key words: elderly people, sleep medication, cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity