Reliability and validity of the Chinese version neuropathic pain symptom inventory in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common consequence of chemotherapeutic treatments in patients with cancer. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of a Chinese version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (C-NPSI) in patients with colorectal cancer and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 106 patients from a cancer center in Northern Taiwan. The C-NPSI was obtained through the translation and back-translation of the original NPSI. Content validity was evaluated by 10 experts. Internal consistency reliability was assessed through Pearson correlation analysis. Construct validity was conducted by confirmed factor analysis. Convergent validity was examined using the Chinese version of Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF).

RESULTS: The item-level and average scale-level content validity indices were 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.9). A parsimonious goodness-of-fit model was supported by the normed chi-square (x2/df = 2.74), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA; 0.10) and root mean square error with respect to the mean (RMSEM; 0.126, 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.093-0.16); partial indices were acceptable (goodness-of-fit index [GFI] = 0.90; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.89; incremental fit index [IFI] = 0.90). Additional model modifications demonstrated goodness of fit (x2/df = 1.78; RMSEA = 0.08; RMSEM = 0.085, 90% CI, 0.041-0.12; GFI = 0.92; CFI = 0.96; IFI = 0.96). Convergent validity showed most coefficients between the C-NPSI and POMS-SF Chinese version have a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05-0.005).

CONCLUSION: The C-NPSI has satisfactory reliability and validity. Clinicians and physician can use it to evaluate and manage oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.