Translated COOP/WONCA charts found appropriate for use among Turkish and Moroccan ethnic minority cancer patients

Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS)

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to translate and validate the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) in Iran.

METHODS

Following standard forward and backward translation procedure, content and face validity were tested by specialists and a sample of 32 patients. Then, in a cross sectional study, a sample of patients with knee disorders, recruited through simple sampling, completed the KOS-ADLS and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) in their first visit to physiotherapy clinics in Tehran. Regarding construct validity, the Spearman's correlation (rs) and one-way ANOVA were employed to evaluate the correlations between the Persian KOS-ADLS and SF-36 subscales (convergent validity) and known groups comparison, respectively. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Cronbach's α coefficient.

RESULTS

In total 101 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 42.39 (SD = 9.2). The finding indicated that the KOS-ADLS had strong correlations with SF-36 physical functioning, bodily pain subscales, and also physical component summary while it had lower correlations with other subscales of the SF-36 as expected. The KOS-ADLS was able to differentiate between the subgroups of patients who differed in BMI. The acceptable level of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.91) and Cronbach's α coefficient (α = 0.91) was obtained for the Persian KOS-ADLS. Also no floor and ceiling effects were observed for the questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

The Persian version of KOS-ADLS was found to be a reliable and valid outcome measure for assessing daily living activities in patients who suffer from knee pathological conditions.

Feasibility of patient-reported outcome research in acute geriatric medicine: an approach to the 'post-hospital syndrome'

BACKGROUND

A patient's self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can be quantified by a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). A patient's HRQoL can provide another avenue to understand the 'post-hospital syndrome', a period after hospital discharge that a patient remains vulnerable to subsequent re-admission. The purpose of the study was to establish the feasibility of collecting HRQoL of older inpatients treated for acute illnesses on medical ward. Feasibility of the PROM would be qualitatively judged upon completion time, response rate and sensitivity to change in HRQoL over time.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort of consecutively admitted patients to a step-down medical ward over 1 year. The COOP/WONCA chart was the PROM. Patients were interviewed by the author face-to-face within 48 hours of admission and then 2 weeks after discharge by telephone.

RESULTS

From the 300 patients admitted, 182 were excluded. Of the remaining 118, median age was 78 years (interquartile range, IQR, 64-86 years), and 71 (60.2%) were female. Proxies were used for 26 (22%) patients. Ninety-two (78%) completed follow-up. The participants were contacted at a median of 14 days (IQR, 13-16) after discharge. Exploratory analyses found that the COOP/WONCA had test-retest responsiveness, that is detected change in HRQoL over time.

CONCLUSION

The completion time of 3 minutes, high response rate (78%) and test-retest responsiveness are evidence that collecting PROs from acutely unwell elderly patients using the COOP/WONCA is feasible. PRO research could become fundamental to the understanding of the 'post-hospital syndrome'.

Effects of an educational intervention on health-related quality of life among family caregivers of people with dementia with a Turkish or Moroccan immigrant background: Insights from a cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Gaining understanding of the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of family caregivers of people with dementia with Turkish or Moroccan immigrant backgrounds and to examine whether an educational peer group intervention can improve HRQL.

METHODS

Understanding of HRQL and associated variables was obtained by multiple linear regression analyses. The effects of the intervention on HRQL were assessed in multilevel analyses using data collected before the start (baseline), directly after the intervention (one to two weeks after baseline) and three months after the start of the intervention. The intervention (two interactive group sessions) entailed providing information about dementia and care/support options.

RESULTS

At baseline (n = 319), HRQL was moderately and significantly associated with migration background, gender, self-perceived pressure from informal care and the formal and informal support received (p < .05). The intervention had a small effect on emotional wellbeing directly after the intervention (p < .05) and on perceived general health status three months after (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Culturally sensitive peer group education on dementia and care/support options can to some extent enhance HRQL among family caregivers in the short term.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The intervention as described in this study is recommended for supporting family caregivers of people with dementia with Turkish or Moroccan backgrounds.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of Quality of Life Scales for Arabic-Speaking Adults: A systematic review

This review aimed to explore the psychometric properties of quality of life (QOL) scales to identify appropriate tools for research and clinical practice in Arabic-speaking adults. A systematic search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature^® (EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA), MEDLINE^® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), EMBASE (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands) and PsycINFO (American Psychological Association, Washington, District of Columbia, USA) databases was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Quality assessment criteria were then utilised to evaluate the psychometric properties of identified QOL scales. A total of 27 studies relating to seven QOL scales were found. While these studies provided sufficient information regarding the scales' validity and reliability, not all reported translation and cross-cultural adaptation processes. Researchers and clinicians should consider whether the psychometric properties, subscales and characteristics of their chosen QOL scale are suitable for use in their population of interest.

Systematic review of caregiver responses for patient health-related quality of life in adult cancer care

PURPOSE

In surveys and in research, proxies such as family members may be used to assess patient health-related quality of life. The aim of this research is to help cancer researchers select a validated health-related quality of life tool if they anticipate using proxy-reported data.

METHODS

Systematic review and methodological appraisal of studies examining the concordance of paired adult cancer patient and proxy responses for multidimensional, validated HRQOL tools. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and perused bibliographies of reviewed papers. We reviewed concordance assessment methods, results, and associated factors for each validated tool.

RESULTS

A total of 32 papers reporting on 29 study populations were included. Most papers were cross-sectional (N = 20) and used disease-specific tools (N = 19), primarily the FACT and EORTC. Patient and proxy mean scores were similar on average for tools and scales, with most mean differences <10 points but large standard deviations. Average ICCs for the FACT and EORTC ranged from 0.35 to 0.62, depending on the scale. Few papers (N = 15) evaluated factors associated with concordance, and results and measurement approaches were inconsistent. The EORTC was the most commonly evaluated disease-specific tool (N = 5 papers). For generic tools, both concordance and associated factor information was most commonly available for the COOP/WONCA (N = 3 papers). The MQOL was the most frequently evaluated end-of-life tool (N = 3 papers).

CONCLUSIONS

Proxy and patient scores are similar on average, but there is large, clinically important residual variability. The evidence base is strongest for the EORTC (disease-specific tools), COOP/WONCA (generic tools), and MQOL (end-of-life-specific tools).

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of COOP/WONCA charts in Persian-speaking Iranians with multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

Translation, cross-culturally adaptation and validation of a Persian version of COOP/WONCA charts in Persian-speaking Iranians with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHOD

The Persian version of COOP/WONCA charts was developed after a standard forward translation, synthesis and backward translation. A total of 197 subjects with MS participated in this study. They were asked to complete the COOP/WONCA charts and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The COOP/WONCA charts were re-administered to 50 patients, 4 weeks after the first session. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was also scored for each subject by the referring physician. Construct validity was assessed by testing linear relationship between corresponding domains of the COOP/WONCA charts, the SF-36 and the EDSS. Test-retest reliability was examined using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) values.

RESULTS

Related domains of COOP/WONCA charts and SF-36 demonstrated strong linear relationships with Spearman's coefficients ranging from -0.51 to -0.75 (p< 0.05). Physical fitness and daily activity charts also demonstrated strong relationships with the EDSS by Spearman's coefficients of 0.65 and 0.50, respectively (p< 0.05). The ICC values for most of COOP/WONCA charts domains were acceptable (>0.70) except for feelings and quality-of-life domains that were 0.50 and 0.51, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Persian version of the COOP/WONCA charts was shown to be psychometrically appropriate to evaluate the functional level and quality of life in Persian-speaking Iranians with MS. Implications for rehabilitation COOP/WONCA charts are now available in Persian and demonstrate good psychometric properties. COOP/WONCA charts demonstrate excellent reliability and construct validity in a Persian-speaking Iranian population with MS. Minimal detectable change in COOP/WONCA is now available in MS to guide within and between group analyses. Knowledge on a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional parameters as well as the status of patients' symptoms, daily activities and quality of life helps rehabilitation clinicians and service providers plan preventive and remedial interventions more effectively.

Validation of the Persian version of COOP/WONCA functional health status charts in liver transplant candidates

CONTEXT

Health-related quality of life is a preferred outcome measure for patients with advanced liver disease. The functional health status charts developed by the Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project (COOP)/World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations (WONCA) make up a generic instrument for assessing health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To translate and validate the Persian version of COOP/WONCA in liver transplant candidates and to assess the correlation of Child Pugh classification and Model of End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score with quality of life.Setting-The Shiraz liver transplant center, the most active liver transplant center in the Middle East.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive adult outpatients waiting for their first liver transplant who attended follow-up visits in the pretransplant clinic.Main Outcome Measures-Patients completed COOP/WONCA along with the Short Form (SF)-36. Data on the underlying cause of cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification, and MELD scores were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

A Persian version of the COOP/WONCA was accepted by liver transplant candidates and showed adequate reliability and validity. Similar domains in COOP/WONCA charts and the SF-36 were highly correlated, indicating that construct validity of the COOP/WONCA in relation to the SF-36 was good (77% of correlations were as expected). Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis could not extract 2 different quality-of-life factors. These findings provide sufficient evidence to conclude that the Persian versions of COOP/WONCA charts and the SF-36 measure the same constructs of health-related quality of life and can be used interchangeably. Four of the 6 COOP/WONCA charts did not allow discrimination between groups of patients according to Child Pugh classification, indicating poor known group validity.