Assessing cancer symptoms in adolescents with cancer using the Taiwanese version of the M. D. Anderson symptom inventory

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Taiwanese version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-T) in Taiwanese adolescent cancer patients. One hundred eight adolescent cancer patients were interviewed using the MDASI-T, and the results were then used to establish the psychometric properties of this instrument. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and descriptive statistics. The construct validity was determined using a confirmatory factor analysis with oblimin rotation. The concurrent validity demonstrated moderate correlations between the MADSI-T subscale scores and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Known-group validity was established by comparing MDASI-T scores between adolescent cancer patients with a low functional status and those with a high functional status (Karnofsky Performance Status scores ≤ 80 and >80, respectively). The alpha coefficient of the symptoms severity and interference subscales demonstrated good internal consistency. There was acceptable test-retest stability of the MDASI-T in 35 adolescents during a 3-day interval. This study provides evidence that the MDASI-T is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring cancer-related symptoms in Taiwanese adolescents with cancer.