Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of Quality of Life Scales for Arabic-Speaking Adults:A Systematic Review

This review aimed to explore the psychometric properties of quality of life (QOL) scales to identify appropriate tools for research and clinical practice in Arabic-speaking adults. A systematic search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature® (EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA), MEDLINE® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), EMBASE (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands) and PsycINFO (American Psychological Association, Washington, District of Columbia, USA) databases was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analysis guidelines. Quality assessment criteria were then utilised to evaluate the psychometric properties of identified QOL scales. A total of 27 studies relating to seven QOL scales were found. While these studies provided sufficient information regarding the scales’ validity and reliability, not all reported translation and cross-cultural adaptation processes. Researchers and clinicians should consider whether the psychometric properties, subscales and characteristics of their chosen QOL scale are suitable for use in their population of interest

Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance in Arabic Cancer Patients after Completion of Therapy:Prevalence, Correlates, and Association with Quality of Life

Background Fatigue and sleep disturbance are 2 of the most common and distressing cancer symptoms that negatively affect quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of, and factors contributing to, fatigue and sleep disturbance in Arabic-speaking cancer patients in Oman after completion of their cancer treatment. Methods A cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index where a score of >5 indicated as poorer sleep, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue a score of ≤34 indicating clinically significant fatigue, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General. Results Of the 369 patients who participated, 77.5% (n = 286) reported clinically significant fatigue, and 78% (n = 288) reported poor sleep. Fatigue (P < .05) was significantly associated with age, cancer site, months since diagnosis, type of treatment received, and comorbidity. Those experiencing fatigue and poor sleep had the lowest quality of life among the cancer patients studied. Conclusion Fatigue and sleep disturbance are significant problems for the Arabic patients diagnosed with cancer. Both fatigue and sleep disturbance should be routinely assessed in the case of such patients. Implications for Practice Routine assessments of fatigue and sleep disturbance are recommended so that appropriate interventions and treatment management plans can be introduced to reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality among patients with cancer

Validation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with Arabic cancer patients

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-administrated questionnaire, is a frequently used instrument to assess sleep quality in clinical and non-clinical populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic PSQI among patients diagnosed with cancer. A cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design was used with 369 patients with cancer completing the 19-item Arabic version of the PSQI. The scale was assessed in terms of acceptability, internal consistency and validity. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the Arabic PSQI was 0.77, demonstrating acceptable reliability. The global PSQI score did not have floor or ceiling effects. The PSQI Arabic version demonstrated good discriminative validity. Construct validity was explored by confirmatory factor analysis to examine the dimensional structure of the PSQI. The confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for refined one-factor model. The results support the original single factor structure of the PSQI. The Arabic version of the PSQI demonstrated adequate reliability and validity for assessing sleep quality in Arabic-speaking patients diagnosed with cancer

Healthcare Professionals Knowledge on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Oman

Cancer-related fatigue is a common and distressing cancer symptom that negatively affects quality of life. The main objective of this study was to determine health professionals' knowledge relating to cancer patients' fatigue in Oman and identify current management practices of cancer-related fatigue. A cross-sectional survey design using Qualtrics® software was performed. The survey had five sections and comprised 32 items. A total of 138 healthcare professionals working in Oman participated in the study (response rate 63.9%). Nearly three quarters of the participants were nurses (74.6%, n = 103). The mean level of knowledge of cancer-related fatigue was 16.6/23, with 50% of participants having the expected level of knowledge above 12. The result indicated that professional discipline and work experience each were significantly associated with overall level of knowledge. Participants identified the need for guidelines, assessment tools, and training for the oncology staff to help improve the quality of life of patients with cancer-related fatigue