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Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the pediatric quality of life inventory™ generic core scales, cancer module, and multidimensional fatigue scale in long‐term adult survivors of pediatric cancer
Author(s) -
Robert Rhonda S.,
Paxton Raheem J.,
Palla Shana L.,
Yang Grace,
Askins Martha A.,
Joy Shaini E.,
Ater Joann L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.24099
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , cronbach's alpha , pediatric cancer , anxiety , cancer , ceiling effect , scale (ratio) , reliability (semiconductor) , clinical psychology , psychometrics , psychiatry , power (physics) , physics , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology , quantum mechanics
Abstract Background Most health‐related quality of life assessments are designed for either children or adults and have not been evaluated for adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM ) Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale in adult survivors of pediatric cancer. Methods Adult survivors (n = 64; Mean age 35 year old; >2 years after treatment) completed the PedsQL™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Feasibility was examined with floor and ceiling effects; and internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's coefficient alpha calculations. Inter‐factor correlations were also assessed. Results Significant ceiling effects were observed for the scales of social function, nausea, procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety, and communication. Internal consistency for all subscales was within the recommended ranges (α ≥ 0.70). Moderate to strong correlations between most Cancer Module and Generic Core Scales (r = 0.25 to r = 0.76) and between the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Generic Core Scales (r = 0.37 to r = 0.73). Conclusions The PedsQL™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale appear to be feasible for an older population of pediatric cancer survivors; however, some of the Cancer Module Scales (nausea, procedural/treatment anxiety, and communication) were deemed not relevant for long‐term survivors. More information is needed to determine whether the issues addressed by these modules are meaningful to long‐term adult survivors of pediatric cancers. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:703–707. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.