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A randomized validation study comparing embedded versus extracted FACT Head and Neck Symptom Index scores.
Susan Yount1, Marcy List, Hongyan Du
1Center on Outcomes, Research and Education (CORE), Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. s-yount@northwestern.edu
Summary
The FACT Head and Neck Symptom Index (FHNSI) is reliable and valid whether administered alone or embedded within the FACT-H&N. This symptom index can be used in clinical practice for head and neck cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychometrics
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- The FACT Head and Neck Symptom Index (FHNSI) is a crucial tool for assessing patient-reported outcomes in head and neck cancer.
- Understanding the optimal administration context for the FHNSI is essential for reliable and valid data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the administration context (embedded vs. stand-alone) affects the reliability and validity of the FHNSI.
- To compare the psychometric properties of the FHNSI when administered as part of a larger questionnaire versus as an independent scale.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-eight head and neck cancer patients were randomized into two groups to assess the FHNSI's context.
- The study evaluated the FHNSI's reliability and validity under embedded and stand-alone administration conditions.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in reliability or validity were found between embedded and stand-alone FHNSI administration.
- The FHNSI demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.79-0.87) and strong correlations with related measures.
- The FHNSI effectively differentiated patients based on performance status and global rating of change, with a minimally important difference of 3-4 points.
Conclusions:
- The FHNSI is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing symptoms in head and neck cancer patients.
- The FHNSI can be administered effectively either as a stand-alone scale or with its items embedded within the FACT-H&N questionnaire.
