Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue (FACIT-F) among patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most frequent and distressing symptom affecting the physical, cognitive, and affective domains of breast cancer patients. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) has been widely used in patients with chronic diseases and has shown satisfactory reliability and validity. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the FACIT-F among Chinese patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling method, a cross-sectional survey (January 2020 and September 2022) was used with patients recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Shanghai, Mainland China, and a total of 597 patients completed a demographic information questionnaire, the FACIT-F and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Convergent validity was estimated by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient of the FACIT-F with the FACT-B. Measurement invariance across age was performed by examining differential item functioning (DIF) across age groups (≤ 60 and > 60 years). The internal consistency and split-half reliability were performed for reliability analysis. Unidimensionality of the scale was evaluated by the principal component analysis by Rasch analysis. Additionally, Rasch analysis was performed for item difficulty levels, and an item-person map was used. RESULTS: No floor/ceiling effects were observed for the FACIT-F. Moderate correlations were found between FACIT-F and FACT-B (r = - 0.342, p < 0.01). Most items showed an absence of DIF regarding age, except for one item. In addition, the FACIT-F showed acceptable internal consistency. Principal component analysis of Rasch residuals showed that the proportion of variance explained by the FACIT-F was 53.3%, and the outfit mean square statistics for the items ranged from 0.68 to 1.90 and the infit MNSQ from 0.63 to 1.73. Additionally, an acceptable response between items and persons was found. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the Chinese version of the FACIT-F is a valid tool for the measurement of fatigue in breast cancer patients.

Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System adult profile-57 (PROMIS-57).

BACKGROUND: The PROMIS-57 is a commonly used self-reported instrument to solve the lack of generalizable and universal measures required to evaluate common symptoms and functions from patients' perspectives. This study aimed to translate the PROMIS-57 into Chinese and psychometrically test the translated instrument on patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Translation, cross­cultural adaptation, and psychometric evaluation of the instrument were performed from June 2020 to June 2021. Eligible patients were recruited and completed the PROMIS-57, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Data from 602 patients with a mean age of 48.83 years were analyzed. Most domains in the PROMIS-57 showed an absence of floor and ceiling effects. Multi-trait scaling analysis demonstrated acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. The correlations between the PROMIS-57 scores and the selected FACT-B scores supported the criterion validity via the Pearson correlation test. Measurement invariance was supported by the absence of differential item functioning for most items. Cronbach's α of the domains ranged from 0.85-0.95. The unidimensional factor structure of all domains was supported using confirmatory factor analyses. Additionally, most items showed acceptable item information curves and item characteristics curve matrices. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the PROMIS-57 was found to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing common symptoms and functions among patients with breast cancer.

Intimate partner violence in women with cancer: An integrative review.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women cancer survivors and identify associated factors. Methods: Using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method, we synthesized literature on the association between IPV and cancer in women. Results: We conducted a comprehensive search of literature published between 2003 and 2024 across eight databases, resulting in 24 English-language articles. These articles included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies. Our synthesis identified several factors influencing the relationship between IPV and cancer, including sociodemographic factors (e.g., age and income), health-related factors, lifestyle-related factors (such as life experiences and interpersonal relationships), cancer-related factors (including type and treatment), and cancer screening behaviors. Conclusions: The study highlights that various factors contribute to the prevalence of IPV among women with cancer. Particularly vulnerable are younger patients, those with lower incomes, and those with more severe disease manifestations. Healthcare professionals should assess for IPV risk during medical consultations and ensure access to appropriate support services.

Cancer-related symptoms among young and middle-aged women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer: Application of latent class analysis and network analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify subgroups and symptom networks of cancer-related symptoms for women under 60 years who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in Mainland China was conducted between August 2020 and November 2021. Participants completed questionnaires that collected demographic and clinical characteristics and featured the PROMIS-57 and the PROMIS-Cognitive Function Short Form. RESULTS: A total of 1033 participants were included in the analysis, and three-class model was identified: "severe symptom group" (17.6%; Class 1), "moderately severe anxiety, depression, and pain-interference group" (38.0%; Class 2), and "mild symptom group" (44.4%; Class 3). Patients who were in menopause (OR = 3.05, P < .001), undergoing a combination of medical treatments (OR = 2.39, P = .003), and who had experienced complications (OR = 1.86, P = .009) were more likely to belong to Class 1. However, having two or more children increased the likelihood of belonging to Class 2. Additionally, network analysis showed that severe fatigue level was the core symptom among the full sample. As for Class 1, feeling helpless and severe fatigue level were the core symptoms. Regarding Class 2, the impact of pain interfere on the ability to participate in social activities and feeling hopeless were found to be the targeted symptoms for intervention. CONCLUSION: Menopause, receiving a combination of medical treatments, and experiencing complications characterize the group with the most symptom disturbance. Moreover, different interventions should be performed for core symptoms in patients with varied symptom disturbances.

Research status and hotspots of medication safety in older adults: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Medication safety is a significant concern in healthcare. Research on medication safety for older adults has taken a broad approach, resulting in a range of proposals. At this juncture, it is necessary to identify the main contributors and establish the current developmental status of the principal research topics. Objective: This study sets out to summarize the state-of-the-art in medication safety for older adults, identifying significant achievements, key topics, and emerging trends. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database was searched for relevant documentation over the interval 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2021. Annual outputs and citations were identified from the WOS citation reports. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were adopted for bibliometric analysis and visualization that included the distribution of countries/regions, organizations, authors and journals, and an analysis of co-cited references and keywords. Results: A total of 1,638 documents were retrieved for bibliometric analysis, yielding 34.29 citations per document. Publications have increased over the past two decades, reaching 177 outputs in 2019. Our database encompasses 71 countries/regions, 2,347 organizations, and 7,040 authors. The United States ranks first in terms of scientific activity with 604 publications (36.87%). We have identified the University of Sydney as the most prolific organization (53 publications). J. T. Hanlon, J. H. Gurwitz, D. O'Mahony, and G. Onder are the most influential researchers in terms of publications and citations. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ranks first with 89 (5.43%) papers. In terms of major research directions, three topics have been identified from co-cited reference and keyword analysis: (1) estimation of the prevalence and variables associated with polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication; (2) analysis of interventions involving pharmacists and the associated impact; (3) patient experience and perception associated with medication use or pharmaceutical care. Conclusion: Research on medication safety for older adults has progressed significantly over the past two decades. The United States, in particular, has made important contributions to this field. Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use, interventions involving pharmacists, patient experience and perception represent the current focus of research. Our findings suggest that these directions will continue as research hotspots in the future.

Heterogeneity of symptoms and functions among women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer in China: A multicentre, cross-sectional study.

Background: Currently, few studies have explored the heterogeneity of symptoms and functions in patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to identify the subgroups of symptoms and functions in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer and determine whether the subgroups differed in demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter survey involving five hospitals in Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, and Guangxi provinces of Mainland China was implemented between August 2020 to December 2021. Participants completed questionnaires that included the PROMIS-57, PROMIS cognitive function short form, and demographic and clinical characteristics. Latent class analysis was performed, followed by chi-square test and analysis of variance. Subsequently, significant variables were included in multinomial logistic regression. Results: A total of 1,180 patients were investigated, with an average age of 48.9 years. Three classes were identified: low symptom burdens and functions group (26.2%, Class 1), moderate symptom burdens and functions group (16.9%, Class 2), and low symptom burdens and high functions group (56.9%, Class 3). Compared with patients in Class 1 and 3, those in Class 2 consistently showed a higher tendency of having urban employee health insurance (odds ratio = 2.506, P < 0.05) and rural health insurance (odds ratio = 2.207, P < 0.05). Additionally, patients in Class 2 tended to be in their fourth cycle of chemotherapy. However, receiving chemotherapy and surgery increased the likelihood of belonging to Class 1. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients experienced varying degrees of symptom and function issues, suggesting that attention is warranted for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Patients with the urban employee basic medical system, the new rural cooperative medical system and in the early stage of chemotherapy cycles were more likely to have symptom burdens. Middle-aged postmenopausal women reported varying degrees of cognitive issues. Additionally, surgery increased the presence of potential long-term effects in functional levels.