title: Validation of the Modified Brief Fatigue Inventory in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to validate the Modified Brief Fatigue Inventory (MBFI). This is the first instrument designed to measure intensity and frequency of fatigue specifically in head and neck cancer patients, potentially allowing objective measurement in addressing this common symptom in a concise yet thorough fashion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey validation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic tertiary medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 9-item MBFI was administered to 52 consecutive cancer patients and 57 consecutive controls. Demographics, comorbidities, cancer site, and cancer stage were recorded. Psychometric properties and predictors of the MBFI were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MBFI 1-week test-retest reliability was excellent (r = 0.800, P < .001). Internal consistency was also excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.938). Construct validity of the MBFI compared with the previously validated Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form was excellent (r = 0.814, P < .001). Discriminant validity of cancer patients vs controls was significant (P = .027). Predictors of increased MBFI score included American Society of Anesthesiologists (comorbidity) score (bivariate analysis, r = 0.287, P = .039), cancer stage (analysis of variance, P = .007), and adjuvant radiotherapy (t test, P = .016). Cancer stage and comorbidity were further correlated with a multiple regression linear model. No significant relationship was found with age, sex, marital status, education, ethnicity, feeding tube, tracheostomy, or laryngectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MBFI is a reliable and valid tool for measuring fatigue levels in head and neck cancer patients. In the context of initial assessment or posttreatment trending, this brief survey can be rapidly administered, providing valuable objective data on a very common and potentially debilitating symptom.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 126, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. baynehchi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Behrad B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Aynehchi
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Obourn
authors.forename: Krishnamurthi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: Boris L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bentsianov
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D017741:Survivors