title: A new index of priority symptoms in advanced ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to develop and examine preliminary validity of the NCCN-FACT Ovarian Symptom Index-18 (NFOSI-18), a new ovarian cancer-specific symptom index comprised of symptoms rated as highest priority by both oncology clinical experts and women with advanced ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one women with advanced ovarian cancer rated the importance of 30 symptoms associated with advanced ovarian cancer. Ten gynecologic oncologists then rated symptoms according to whether they were predominantly disease- or treatment-related. Patient priorities were then reconciled with previously-published clinician priorities for symptom measurement in ovarian cancer. This produced the NFOSI-18. Participants also completed measures of quality of life and performance status to examine preliminary validity of the NFOSI-18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An 18-item symptom index for advanced ovarian cancer was developed, including three subscales: disease-related symptoms, treatment-related symptoms, and general function/well-being. Lower NFOSI-18 scores indicate greater high-priority symptom burden. Preliminary reliability suggests good internal consistency (α=0.80). The NFOSI-18 and its subscales were significantly positively associated with quality of life validity criteria. Scores on the NFOSI-18 differed significantly by performance status, with poor performance status associated with lower NFOSI-18 scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NFOSI-18 shows preliminary evidence for reliability and validity as a brief assessment of the most important symptoms associated with treatment for advanced ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. sjensen@northshore.org
authors.forename: Sally E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rosenbloom
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syrjala
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome