Measuring the Symptom Burden of Lung Cancer: The Validity and Utility of the Lung Cancer Module of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory

Authors

Tito R Mendoza
Xin Shelley Wang
Charles Lu
Guadalupe R Palos
Zhongxing Liao
Gary M Mobley
Shitij Kapoor
Charles S Cleeland

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Journal

Oncologist

Abstract

We conducted a study to establish the psychometric properties of a module of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) developed specifically for patients with lung cancer (MDASI-LC). The MDASI measures 13 common "core" symptoms of cancer and its treatment. The MDASI-LC includes the 13 core MDASI symptom items and three lung cancer-specific items: coughing, constipation, and sore throat. MDASI-LC items were administered to three cohorts of patients with lung cancer undergoing either chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Known-group validity and criterion (concurrent) validity of the MDASI-LC were evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the module were adequate, with Cronbach coefficient α-values of 0.83 or higher for all module items and subscales. The sensitivity of the MDASI-LC to changes in patient performance status (disease progression) and to continuing cancer treatment (effects of treatment) was established. Cognitive debriefing of a subset of participants provided evidence for content validity and indicated that the MDASI core items and three additional lung cancer-specific items were clear, relevant to patients, and easy to understand; only two patients suggested additional symptom items. As expected, the item "sore throat" was sensitive only for patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. The MDASI-LC is a valid, reliable, and sensitive symptom-assessment instrument whose use can enhance clinical studies of symptom status in patients with lung cancer and epidemiological and prevalence studies of symptom severity across various cancer types.

Keywords

Comorbidity, Constipation, Cost of Illness, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Pharyngitis, Psychometrics, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Severity of Illness Index, Sickness Impact Profile, Surveys and Questionnaires

Comments

Supplementary Materials

PMID: 21285393