title: Linguistic validation of the Greek M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory - Head and Neck Module.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Our goal is to linguistically validate the Greek translation of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Index - Head and Neck Module.  PATIENTS & METHODS: Following forward and backward translation of the previously validated head and neck cancer specific items of the English MDASI-HN into Greek (G-MDASI-HN), it was administered along with a cognitive debriefing to head and neck cancer patients able to read and understand Greek. Individual and group responses are presented using descriptive statistics.  RESULTS: From 02/2009 through 06/2009 30 subjects with head and neck cancer completed the G-MDASI-HN followed by completion of the accompanying cognitive debriefing. Ninety-eight percent of the individual G-MDASI-HN items were completed. "Voice" item was not completed by 5 patients. Average time to complete the G-MDASI-HN was 13.3 minutes. Average ease of completion was rated at 1.21 on a 0 to 10 scale with "0" being "very easy" and "10" being "very hard". Only 10% of patients reported trouble completing any item, namely "distress" and "numbness".  CONCLUSIONS: The Greek-MDASI-HN is linguistically valid and a patient-reported instrument that can be used both in outcomes research and as a clinical tool.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors: G Brandon
authors: GB
authors: Gunn
authors: Michael I
authors: MI
authors: Koukourakis
authors: Tito R
authors: TR
authors: Mendoza
authors: Charles S
authors: CS
authors: Cleeland
authors: David I
authors: DI
authors: Rosenthal
keywords: Greek MDASI-HN; head and neck cancer; patient symptoms; patient-reported questionnaire