Psychometric properties and longitudinal measurement invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer-Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale in the Chinese colorectal cancer chemotherapy population
摘要
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common and burdensome adverse effect of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group–Neurotoxicity subscale is used to assess neurotoxicity symptoms, but evidence regarding its psychometric performance and measurement invariance in Chinese patients remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the FACT/GOG-Ntx13 in patients with colorectal cancer receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
MethodsA longitudinal quantitative survey was conducted among 534 Chinese patients with colorectal cancer. Data were collected one month and three months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance testing, criterion validity analysis, and internal consistency reliability analysis were performed.
ResultsExploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure, which was further confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis with acceptable model fit at both time points. The scale demonstrated good criterion-related validity through its positive correlation with the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 and showed good internal consistency at both assessments. Measurement invariance across gender was supported at configural, metric, and scalar levels. Longitudinally, configural and metric invariance were supported, whereas scalar invariance was not.
ConclusionThe Chinese version of the FACT/GOG-Ntx13 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with colorectal cancer. However, changes in scores over time should be interpreted cautiously because longitudinal scalar invariance was not supported.