title: Validation of single-item linear analog scale assessment of quality of life in neuro-oncology patients.
abstract: Assessment of patient quality of life (QOL) requires balancing the details provided by multi-item assessments with the reduced burden of single-item assessments. In this project, we investigated the psychometric properties of single-item Linear Analog Scale Assessments (LASAs) for patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas. Measures included QOL LASAs (overall, physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual), Symptom Distress Scale (SDS), Profile of Mood States (POMS; overall, confusion, fatigue), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br; overall, brain, physical, emotional). Associations of LASA measures with SDS, POMS, and FACT-Br domains and with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (PS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed. Repeated measures ANOVA models compared the change over time of LASAs and SDS, POMS, and FACT-Br. Two hundred five patients completed the assessments across three time points. To allow comparison across measures, all scores were converted to a scale of 0-100, with higher scores indicating better QOL. LASA mean scores ranged from 60 to 78; SDS, POMS, and FACT-Br ranged from 62 to 81. FACT-Br physical (P<0.001) and POMS fatigue subscale (P=0.005) decreased over time, as did LASA physical (P=0.08). LASA scales were strongly associated with corresponding scales on SDS, POMS, and FACT-Br (0.44<rho<0.65; P<0.001). LASA was negatively associated with PS and positively with MMSE, with associations similar in magnitude to the other QOL and psychosocial measures. The data suggest that the single-item LASA scales are valid for assessing QOL of cancer patients and are an appropriate alternative when a shorter instrument is warranted.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA. locke.dona@mayo.edu
authors: Dona E C
authors: DE
authors: Locke
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Decker
authors: Jeff A
authors: JA
authors: Sloan
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Brown
authors: James F
authors: JF
authors: Malec
authors: Matthew M
authors: MM
authors: Clark
authors: Teresa A
authors: TA
authors: Rummans
authors: Karla V
authors: KV
authors: Ballman
authors: Paul L
authors: PL
authors: Schaefer
authors: Jan C
authors: JC
authors: Buckner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life
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