Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Taiwanese version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-T) in Taiwanese adolescent cancer patients. One hundred eight adolescent cancer patients were interviewed using the MDASI-T, and the results were then used to establish the psychometric properties of this instrument. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and descriptive statistics. The construct validity was determined using a confirmatory factor analysis with oblimin rotation. The concurrent validity demonstrated moderate correlations between the MADSI-T subscale scores and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Known-group validity was established by comparing MDASI-T scores between adolescent cancer patients with a low functional status and those with a high functional status (Karnofsky Performance Status scores <= 80 and >80, respectively). The alpha coefficient of the symptoms severity and interference subscales demonstrated good internal consistency. There was acceptable test-retest stability of the MDASI-T in 35 adolescents during a 3-day interval. This study provides evidence that the MDASI-T is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring cancer-related symptoms in Taiwanese adolescents with cancer.