Abstract
BackgroundDeterioration of health related quality of life (HRQoL) is common in brain tumor patients. This study evaluated validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) in patients with brain tumors.MethodsTwo hundred and seventy-seven patients admitted for brain tumor surgery were evaluated for HRQoL (SF-36 questionnaire); depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II or BDI-II); and functional status (Barthel index or BI). Final histological diagnosis was obtained from pathology reports.ResultsTwo-hundred and twenty-seven (completion rate of 82%) patients (69% women; mean age 55.8 ± 14.4 years) completed the SF-36 questionnaire. The most common brain tumor diagnosis was meningioma (40%), followed high-grade glioma (19%). Missing data rates were ≤4%. Internal consistency was adequate for all (Cronbach α ≥ .728) but Social Functioning (Cronbach α = .527) and General Health (Cronbach α = .693) subscales. Ceiling (≥36%) and floor (≥22%) effect rates were the greatest for the Role Limitations subscales. The SF-36 subscales pertaining physical health correlated the strongest with the BI score, while the SF-36 subscales pertaining emotional health correlated the strongest with the BDI-II score. Patients with mild-moderate depressive symptoms (BDI-II score ≥20) scored lower across all SF-36 subscales, and handicap patients (BI score <90) scored the lower across all, but Mental Health, subscales.ConclusionsThe SF-36 is a valid and reliable instrument in brain tumor patients and therefore can be reliably applied for evaluation of HRQoL in neuro-oncology setting. Further studies exploring other psychometric properties of the SF-36 in brain tumor patients across disease progression stages are warranted.
Highlights
Deterioration of health related quality of life (HRQoL) is common in brain tumor patients
The goal of the study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the The medical outcomes study 36-item short form (SF-36) questionnaire in patients diagnosed with brain tumors
During the same visit patients were evaluated for HRQoL (SF-36 questionnaire [7]) and depressive symptom severity (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) [11]) Patients were asked to complete the SF-36 and BDI-II questionnaires themselves and were given an opportunity to ask questions if any
Summary
Deterioration of health related quality of life (HRQoL) is common in brain tumor patients. This study evaluated validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) in patients with brain tumors. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is commonly used as an outcome measure [1,2,3] and has prognostic significance in brain tumor patients. Numerous multi-item questionnaires are used for evaluation of HRQoL in patients with brain tumors [6]. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) health survey comprehensively evaluates patient perceived. Bunevicius Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2017) 15:92. The goal of the study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the SF-36 questionnaire in patients diagnosed with brain tumors
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