Abstract
Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available for the assessment of quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression for testicular cancer (TCa); however, these PROMs have uncertain validation of their psychometric properties for TCa-only cohorts. This systematic review aims to critically analyse and evaluate the psychometric properties of these QoL, anxiety and depression PROMs. PubMed, EMBASE and PsycInfo were searched by two independent reviewers from inception to August 2020. Evaluative studies that assessed measurement properties of PROM(s) tools used for measuring QoL, anxiety and depression in TCa patients were included. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) updated criteria for good measurement properties were used in the evaluation of PROM psychometric quality. This systematic review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020160232). Of 4,305 abstracts screened, a final eight full-text articles were included in this review. Five general and two TCa-specific PROMs were identified (depression, n=1; anxiety and depression, n=2; QoL, n=4). All studies were incomplete in the validation of nine measurement properties and the modal methodological quality was 'indeterminate'. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality -Testicular Cancer 26 questionnaire and CAYA-T had the highest psychometric validation with three out of nine measurement properties being 'sufficient'. This systematic review identifies a paucity of PROM-validation studies assessing anxiety, depression and QoL in TCa-only cohorts. We recommend further comprehensive and standardised psychometric validation studies of QoL, anxiety and depression PROMs in TCa-only study populations.
Highlights
Testicular cancer (TCa) is the most common solid malignancy of men between the ages of 14 and 441 and represents 5% of urological cancers and 1%–2% of all male neoplasms
Earlier detection, young age at presentation, high healing rate of testicular neoplasms and surgical technology have resulted in a high median five‐year survival rate for testicular cancer (TCa) of ∼95% and achievability of complete remission in metastatic TCa with high‐dose cisplatin‐based chemotherapy.[4,5,6,7]
Our findings demonstrated that the Cancer Assessment for Young Adults‐Testicular (CAYA‐T) and QRQTC‐36 questionnaires are the most psychometrically validated patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) questionnaires currently available for quality of life (QoL) assessment in TCa patients and/or survivors
Summary
Testicular cancer (TCa) is the most common solid malignancy of men between the ages of 14 and 441 and represents 5% of urological cancers and 1%–2% of all male neoplasms. Radiotherapy long‐term toxicity includes radiation‐ induced secondary malignant neoplasms and decreased sexual satisfaction.[9] In addition, fertility concerns, body image issues and sexual dysfunction (including ejaculatory dysfunction) are intrinsic themes of TCa as the patient group affected are largely men within the fertile age range.[10] Several studies have shown that psycho‐ social and functional limitations of TCa compromise overall patient QoL and health‐related QoL (HR‐QoL) These studies have shown higher rates of depressive symptoms (34%), depression and anxiety disorders (19% vs 13.5%) compared to the general population.[11,12,13,14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
