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Published on: April 26, 2012
Evaluation of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in children with cancer: Turkish validity and reliability
Bilge Özdemir1, Gülçin Özalp Gerçeker2, Emine Zahide Özdemir2
1Istanbul Gedik University, Gedik Vocational School, Department of Medical Services of Techniques, Anesthesia Program, Istanbul, Turkey; Dokuz Eylul University Health Sciences Institute, Turkey.
Background:
The evaluation of peripheral neuropathy in children receiving Vincristine treatment is challenging. This study examined the Turkish validity and reliability of the Total Neuropathy Score-Pediatric Vincristine (TNS-PV) measurement tool, which can measure Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in children with cancer.
Methods:
A total of 53 children aged 5-17 years who received Vincristine treatment in two pediatric hematology-oncology centers participated in the study. Data was collected using the Total Neuropathy Score-Pediatric Vincristine (TNS-PV), the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale, and the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT). The correlation between the TNS-PV total score and other scales and the inter-rater reliability coefficient was evaluated.
Findings:
Of the children, 81.1% were diagnosed with ALL and 13.2% with Ewing Sarcoma. Cronbach's alpha values of form A and B of the TNS-PV scale were 0.628 and 0.639, respectively. As the cumulative Vincristine dose increased, the children's scores on TNS-PV were higher. A moderate and significant positive correlation was found between the TNS-PV form A total score and the worst subjective symptoms a, b (A), strength, tendon reflexes, and autonomic / constipation (r = 0.441, r = 0.545, r = 0.472, r = 0.536, p < 0.01).
Discussion:
The TNS-PV form B total score was found to have a moderate level, significant correlation with CTCAE sensory neuropathy score and Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale, and a high level, significant positive correlation with CTCAE motor neuropathy score.
Application To Practice:
The TNS-PV is valid and reliable for measuring Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in practice in Turkish children 5 years and older.
