Psychometric analysis of new lymphoma-specific patient-reported symptom measures derived from the EORTC item library.

What was studied

This study tested questionnaires that track symptoms in lymphoma. They cover CLL/SLL symptoms, MCL symptoms and fatigue. The authors used blinded data from phase 3 trials. One had 211 people with CLL/SLL. The other had 523 people with MCL. They checked how reliable and valid the questionnaires were.

What they found

The questionnaires showed adequate reliability and strong evidence of validity. Each could detect worsening well. They detected improvement less well. The answer scales were adequate. The questionnaires may not target people with the lowest symptoms well. Fatigue items seemed to drive the symptom scores. The authors also estimated score changes that count as meaningful. Some could not be estimated, such as worsening of CLL/SLL symptoms.

What it means for patients

The authors say the measures showed strong psychometric properties. They say the measures are appropriate for trials in people with CLL/SLL and MCL. They add that this holds with past qualitative data.

Why it is not certain yet

Some meaningful-change values could not be worked out. The measures did not target people with the lowest symptoms well. Fatigue items may drive the symptom scores. The data came from one trial per disease.

Source

Psychometric analysis of new lymphoma-specific patient-reported symptom measures derived from the EORTC item library.

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