Abstract
Context
The Cancer Dyspnea Scale (CDS) is a self-reported multidimensional tool used for the
assessment of dyspnea, a subjective experience of breathing discomfort, in patients
with cancer. The scale describes dyspnea using three distinct factors: physical, psychological,
and discomfort at rest.
Objectives
To crossculturally validate the Italian version of CDS (CDS-IT) and examine its content
validity, feasibility, internal consistency, and construct validity in patients with
advanced cancer.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted. CDS-IT was forward-backward translated, and
its content was validated among a group of experts. Cronbach's α coefficients were used to assess the internal consistency. Construct validity was
examined in terms of structural validity through confirmatory factor analysis, and
convergent validity was examined with Visual Analogue Scale Dyspnea through the Pearson's
correlation coefficient (r). Cancer Quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care) and Italian Palliative Outcome
Scale were also tested.
Results
The CDS-IT was crossculturally validated and showed satisfactory content validity.
A total of 101 patients (mean age = 76 [SD = 12]; 53% females) were recruited in palliative
care settings. CDS-IT reported a good internal consistency in the total score and
its factors (α = 0.74–0.83). The factor analysis corresponded acceptably but not completely with
the original study. CDS-IT strongly correlated with Visual Analogue Scale Dyspnea
(r = 0.68) and moderately with Italian Palliative Outcome Scale and European Organization
for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative
Care (r = 0.33–0.36, respectively).
Conclusion
The study findings supported the crosscultural validity of the CDS-IT. Its feasibility,
internal consistency, and construct validity are satisfactory for clinical practice.
The CDS-IT is available to health care professionals as a useful tool to assess dyspnea
in patients with cancer.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 12, 2020
Accepted:
October 8,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
