Validation of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head-and-Neck-Filipino (MDASI-HN-F): clinical utility of symptom screening among patients with head-and-neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) are of particular importance in head-and-neck cancer treatment. The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head-and-Neck (MDASI-HN) is a simple symptom assessment tool practicable for patient follow-up, but a validated Filipino translation was previously unavailable.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to develop a valid Filipino translation of the MDASI-HN, to test the sensitivity of the validated MDASI core-F, and to report the prevalence and pattern of head-and-neck symptoms in our cohort.


METHODS
An MDASI-HN-Filipino (MDASI-HN-F) version was developed and examined for convergent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, known-group validity and sensitivity to change. Eligible participants were aged 18-80 years, with histopathologically-proven head-and-neck (except thyroid) cancer, able to understand and read English and Filipino, and without cognitive impairment or other conditions precluding self-administration of the questionnaire.


RESULTS
Participants (n=100) were aged 18-76 years; the majority were aged <60, male, married, had college schooling, or were from a Tagalog-speaking region. The validity of the MDASI HN-F was demonstrated in all parameters. Age or educational attainment did not affect convergent validity or test-retest reliability. At baseline, 48% had multiple moderate/severe symptoms and 38% had at least one severe symptom.


CONCLUSIONS
The MDASI-HN-F is valid, reliable and sensitive. The sensitivity of the MDASI core-F is demonstrated, and its validity and reliability reaffirmed. Moderate and severe head-and-neck symptoms are prevalent in early-stage and advanced-stage head-and-neck cancers, reflecting the utility of symptom screening for improvement of symptom management, QOL and compliance to treatment.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Santo Tomas Hospital-Benavides Cancer Institute, Manila, Philippines.
Warren R
WR
Bacorro
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Santo Tomas Hospital-Benavides Cancer Institute, Manila, Philippines.
Teresa T
TT
Sy Ortin
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Santo Tomas Hospital-Apolinario Mabini Rehabilitation Center, Manila, Philippines.
Consuelo G
CG
Suarez
Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Tito R
TR
Mendoza
Pain Management and Palliative Care Unit, University of Santo Tomas Hospital-Benavides Cancer Institute, Manila, Philippines.
Jocelyn C
JC
Que
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations; D055815:Young Adult
Filipino; Quality of life; Validation