Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) for Brazilian Patients: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation Study

Background Appetite and symptoms, conditions generally reported by the patients with cancer, are somewhat challenging for professionals to measure directly in clinical routine (latent conditions). Therefore, specific instruments are required for this purpose. This study aimed to perform a cultural adaptation of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ), into Portuguese and evaluate its psychometric properties on a sample of Brazilian cancer patients. Methods This is a validation study with Brazilian cancer patients. The face, content, and construct (factorial and convergent) validities of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire, the study tool, were estimated. Further, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. The ratio of chi-square and degrees of freedom (χ2 /df), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used for fit model assessment. In addition, the reliability of the instrument was estimated using the composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α), and the invariance of the model in independent samples was estimated by a multigroup analysis (Δχ2). Results Participants included 1,140 cancer patients with a mean age of 53.95 (SD = 13.25) years; 61.3% were women. After the CFA of the original CASQ structure, 2 items with inadequate factor weights were removed. Four correlations between errors were included to provide adequate fit to the sample (χ2 /df = 8.532, CFI = .94, GFI = .95, and RMSEA = .08). Themodel exhibited a low convergent validity (AVE = .32). The reliability was adequate (CR = .82 α = .82). The refined model showed strong invariance in two independent samples (Δχ2 : λ: p = .855; i: p = .824; Res: p = .390). A weak stability was obtained between patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Δχ2 : λ: p = .155; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001), and between patients undergoing chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and palliative care (Δχ2 : λ: p = .058; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001). Conclusion The Portuguese version of the CASQ had good face and construct validity and reliability. However, the CASQ still presented invariance in independent samples of Brazilian patients with cancer. However, the tool has low convergent validity and weak invariance in samples with different treatment

Oncology Section EDGE Task Force on Cancer: Measures of Cancer-Related Fatigue—A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Being able to accurately screen for and assess CRF will improve access to and prescriptions for interventions. Valid and reliable measures to screen for and assess CRF need to be identified. Purpose: To identify and recommend reliable, valid, and clinically useful tools to screen for and assess CRF among those treated for cancer. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess the published psychometric properties and clinical feasibility of each method identified. Task force members independently reviewed each measure using the Cancer EDGE Rating Form. Results: Review of 136 studies resulted in recommendations for 14 questionnaires. Five unidimensional and 9 multidimensional questionnaires are recommended by the Oncology EDGE Task Force. Conclusion: The 10-point Numeric Rating Scale for Fatigue is best as a screening tool, whereas the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory is a highly recommended multidimensional tool. Ease of screening can promote referral for interventions, whereas thorough assessment drives appropriate interventions

Clinical features of patients with endometriosis on the cesarean scar

WOS: 000344172400010PubMed ID: 2543868

Is the percentage of hormone receptor positivity in HR+ HER2-metastatic breast cancer patients receiving CDK 4/6 inhibitor with endocrine therapy predictive and prognostic?

PurposeThere is no clear information in the literature about the relationship between the efficacy of CDK 4/6i combined with ET and HR positivity. However, we know that the longest overall survival was in the ER-strong positive/PR intermediate or strong positive groups. Therefore, we aimed to investigate CDK4/6i treatments that create positivity in HR.MethodsPatients with the diagnosis of HR+/HER2- MBC who were treated with CDK 4/6i and HR &gt;10% were retrospectively evaluated. To analyze the role of HR positivity, ER was moderately positive (10-49%) and ER was strongly positive (50-100%); PR was grouped as moderately positive (10-49%) and PR strongly positive (50-100%).ResultsMedian follow-up of 150 patients included in the study was 15.2 months (95% CI, 2.1-40.9 months). The highest response in the whole group was obtained in the ER-strong positive/PR moderate or strong positive group, and the ER moderate positive/PR moderate or strong group. This was followed by the ER strong positive/PR negative group, and then the ER moderate positive/PR negative group. Although these advantages were not statistically significant, they were numerically higher (ORR: 83.8% vs. 83.3% vs. 77.4% vs. 62.5%, p=0.488, respectively). The highest survival in the whole group was achieved in the ER strong positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, followed by the ER moderately positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, the ER strongly positive/PR negative group followed by the ER moderate positive/PR negative group, respectively(p=0.410). However, these advantages were not statistically significant.ConclusionAs a result, HR+/HER2- MBC patients receiving CDK 4/6i combined with ET suggest that the percentage of HR positivity may have a predictive and prognostic role

Retesting the psychometric characteristics of the European cancer research and treatment organization’s quality of life questionnaire palliative care 15 Turkish version (EQRTC QLQ C15-PAL) and evaluating the influencing factors

Purpose: The study aimed to retest the reliability and validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core Quality of Life-15 Items Questionnaire for Palliative Care (EQRTC QLQ-C15-PAL) for the Turkish society and examine the influencing factors. Methods: The study was conducted in cancer patients who applied palliative treatment in the Dokuz Eylul University Oncology Institute Medical Oncology Division between May of 2014 and January of 2015. The demographic data collection form, performance status, and the EQRTC QLQ-C15-PAL scale were employed in order to gather data. Results: A total of 164 patients completed the study. The total Cronbach's alpha value for the scale was 0.794. The mean scores including the overall questionnaire, and subscales, which were calculated after two measurements conducted at an interval of three weeks, presented a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). Patients with higher and lower ECOG scores had significant differences in terms of total QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire scores as well as its subscales of physical, emotional functioning (PF, EF), and fatigue (FA) (p < 0.05). The statistically significant differences between patients' ECOG scores and QLQ-C15-PAL total score, and PF, EF, FA, and pain (PA) scores were 0.375, 0.439, 0.245, and 0.221, respectively (p < 0.001). The QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire is able to measure 94.0% of the factors measured by the QLQ-C30-PAL. The variables included in the model affected the patients' quality of life to the extent of 44.0%. Conclusion: It has been shown that the scale is a valid/reliable instrument to detect the quality of life of Turkish cancer patients. Keywords: Cancer, Palliative care, Quality of lif