Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale—Short Form Among Cancer Patients

Abstract

ContextComprehensive symptom assessment is crucial for symptom management. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale—Short Form (MSAS-SF) has been validated for symptom assessment in cancer patients, but there is no simplified Chinese version. ObjectivesTo present the validation procedures and results for the simplified Chinese version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale—Short Form (MSAS-SF-SC) among cancer patients in mainland China. MethodsThe MSAS-SF was translated and culturally adapted into simplified Chinese. About 359 cancer patients completed the MSAS-SF-SC, the Chinese Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General, the Chinese Brief Fatigue Inventory, the Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Chinese Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest coefficients. Convergent and divergent validity were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficients between MSAS-SF-SC subscales and the other instruments. Known-groups validity used Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group—Performance Status, hemoglobin level, and primary site. ResultsThe MSAS-SF-SC was reliable with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for subscales ranging from 0.782 to 0.874 and test-retest coefficients ranging from 0.819 to 0.872. MSAS-SF-SC subscales correlated with corresponding Chinese Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General subscales (−0.557 to −0.680; P < 0.001), Chinese Brief Fatigue Inventory (0.620; P < 0.001), and Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (0.663; P < 0.001) indicating convergent validity. MSAS-SF-SC subscales showed low or no correlations with the Chinese Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (−0.146 to −0.165; P < 0.01), indicating divergent validity. MSAS-SF-SC subscales showed appropriate differences by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group—Performance Status, hemoglobin level, and primary site. ConclusionThe MSAS-SF-SC demonstrated good psychometric properties and is culturally adapted. The instrument could be a valuable tool for Chinese health care professionals and researchers.