Development and evaluation of Korean version of Quality of Sexual Function (QSF-K) in healthy Korean women

Evaluation of a Smart After-Care Program for Patients with Lung Cancer: A Prospective, Single-Arm Pilot Study

Background

The efficacy of telemedicine among cancer survivors is uncertain. The Smart After-Care Program (SAP), which is an interactive, smartphone-based remote health monitoring system, was developed to help patients manage their health after leaving the hospital. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of our remote health care program for lung cancer patients.

Methods

We enrolled 50 patients with lung cancer. Self-monitoring devices were supplied to all patients, who were instructed to enter their daily vital signs and subjective symptoms to the Smart After-Care app. The app also provided information about rehabilitation exercises and a healthy diet for lung cancer patients. All patients received health counseling via telephone once a week and visited an outpatient clinic during weeks 6 and 12 to assess satisfaction with the SAP and changes in quality of life and physical performance.

Results

Overall satisfaction with the SAP was very high (very good, 61.9%; good, 26.2%). In the multivariate analysis to identify factors affecting satisfaction, the distance between the patient's residence and the hospital was the only significant independent factor (p=0.013). Quality of life improved along all functional scales (p<0.05). Muscle strength significantly improved in the lower limbs (p=0.012). Two-minute walk distance also significantly improved (p=0.028).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the SAP was acceptable for and supportive of patients with reduced pulmonary function after lung cancer treatment. The SAP was found to be particularly useful for patients living far from the hospital.

Psychometric properties of the Persian language version of the Female Sexual Function index among postmenopausal women

Objective

The present research aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian language version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among postmenopausal women.

Material and Methods

This secondary analysis examined 402 healthy postmenopausal Iranian women presenting to healthcare centers across Iran. The sampling method was convenience sampling. The translation of the FSFI and its cross-cultural adaptation were conducted under the guidelines proposed by Beaton. The reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test-rest reliability) and construct validity confirmatory factor analysis) were assessed. Model fitting index [such as the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI)] was calculated.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 53.63±7.8 years. Test-retest reliability was high for both the entire scale (r=0.964; p<0.001) and its six dimensions (0.76-0.94; p<0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha of the entire scale and its dimensions was greater than 0.80. The original six-factor was used, which showed a relatively poor fit (χ²=667.054; p<0.001; χ²/df=4.86; GFI=0.92; RMSEA=0.098; GFI=0.85). After adding three correlated error terms to the six-factor model, an acceptable fit was obtained (χ²=470.542; p<0.001; χ²/df=3.51; CFI=0.95; RMSEA=0.079; GFI=0.89).

Conclusion

According to our results, the FSFI tool indicated a satisfactory fit for a six-factor model, as similar to the original English version, for use in clinical practice and research regarding healthy postmenopausal Iranian women. More research needs to be conducted on this scale to assess all of its psychometric properties.

Development and validation of a modified Korean version of the Pharmacy Services Questionnaire (PSQ-K) for the quality assessment of community pharmacy services

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures and validated instruments have become integral in assessing the quality of healthcare delivery, including pharmaceutical care services. The Pharmacy Services Questionnaire (PSQ) measures patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical care. In this study, we developed a modified Korean version of the PSQ (PSQ-K) and evaluated its validity and reliability. The PSQ-K was developed using a strict translation and cultural-adaptation procedure. A validation study was performed in six community pharmacies in Korea. A total of 300 respondents completed three questionnaires (a brief questionnaire for social demographics and clinical characteristics, the PSQ-K, and the 5-level EuroQoL Group’s 5-dimension [EQ-5D-5L]). Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. The internal consistency of the PSQ-K was high for all scales (Cronbach’s α > 0.9). The PSQ-K indicated good discriminant and divergent validity. Known-group comparisons revealed that the PSQ-K was able to distinguish between respondents differing in socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, level of education, and household income. In conclusion, the PSQ-K is a highly reliable and valid PRO instrument for assessing the level of satisfaction with community pharmacy services.

Female Sexual Function Index Short Version: A MsFLASH Item Response Analysis

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a psychometrically sound and popular 19-item self-report measure, but its length may preclude its use in studies with multiple outcome measures, especially when sexual function is not a primary endpoint. Only one attempt has been made to create a shorter scale, resulting in the Italian FSFI-6, later translated into Spanish and Korean without further psychometric analysis. Our study evaluated whether a subset of items on the 19-item English-language FSFI would perform as well as the full-length FSFI in peri- and postmenopausal women. We used baseline data from 898 peri- and postmenopausal women recruited from multiple communities, ages 42-62 years, and enrolled in randomized controlled trials for vasomotor symptom management. Goals were to (1) create a psychometrically sound, shorter version of the FSFI for use in peri- and postmenopausal women as a continuous measure and (2) compare it to the Italian FSFI-6. Results indicated that a 9-item scale provided more information than the FSFI-6 across a spectrum of sexual functioning, was able to capture sample variability, and showed sufficient range without floor or ceiling effects. All but one of the items from the Italian 6-item version were included in the 9-item version. Most omitted FSFI items focused on frequency of events or experiences. When assessment of sexual function is a secondary endpoint and subject burden related to questionnaire length is a priority, the 9-item FSFI may provide important information about sexual function in English-speaking peri- and postmenopausal women.

Comparison of Quality of Life and Sexuality between Cervical Cancer Survivors and Healthy Women

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning between sexually active cervical cancer survivors and healthy women.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, propensity-score-matched cervical cancer survivors (n=104) and healthy women (n=104) were compared. All women had engaged in sexual activity within the previous 3 months, and cervical cancer survivors showed no evidence of disease after primary treatment. QoL and sexual functioning were assessed using three questionnaires; the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Cervical Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-CX24), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

Significantly higher scores for lymphedema were observed in the cervical cancer survivors group compared with the healthy women group (mean, 20.2 vs. 12.2; p < 0.05). Sexuality, both in terms of sexual activity, sexual enjoyment, and sexual worry (EORTC QLQ-CX24), and in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (FSFI) were similar between the groups. When the scale of sexual/vaginal functioning in EORTC QLQ-CX24 was divided into individual questions, cervical cancer survivors reported shorter vaginal length than the control group, but without statistical significance (mean, 80.6 vs. 85.4; p=0.077).

Conclusion

Compared with healthy women, sexuality was not impaired in cervical cancer survivors who showed no evidence of disease after primary treatment and engaging in sexual activity. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm this finding.

Psychometric analysis of the Korean version of the high-dose chemotherapy specific quality of life questionnaire module from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-HDC29)

PURPOSE

We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer high-dose chemotherapy specific quality of life questionnaire module (EORTC QLQ-HDC29) when implemented with Korean patients by conducting a multicenter, longitudinal study in three Korean hospitals.

METHODS

A total of 226 patients who scheduled to receive the HDC followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were enrolled. The patients were asked to complete three questionnaires [the EORTC Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), QLQ-HDC29, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation] at four points in time: before HSCT and 100, 180, and 365 days after HSCT. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Internal consistency of the QLQ-HDC29 was generally acceptable, as tested by Cronbach's α, except for the scales body image and the inpatient issues. Cronbach's α values for the Korean version of the QLQ-HDC29 were almost in accordance with results of the original version, except for the scales body image (lower to the original QLQ-HDC29, α = 0.73) and impact on family (higher to the original QLQ-HDC29, α = 0.52). Known-group comparison analyses showed significantly higher symptom burdens in patients with poor performance status or graft versus host disease (similar to the original QLQ-HDC29). The QLQ-HDC29 indicated good convergent and discriminant validity and showed responsiveness to changes in line with a clinical course over time after HSCT.

CONCLUSIONS

The QLQ-HDC29 is generally reliable and adequate to assess QoL in Korean patients undergoing HDC followed by HSCT.