UNLABELLED: . Italian validation of the Chemotherapy Induced Taste Alteration Scale. Introdution. Taste alterations (TAs) are an underestimated side effect despite affecting 75% of chemo-radiotherapy patients. TAs may cause discomfort and food aversions up to loss of appetite and anorexia. The available instruments do not discriminate the different types of TAs. AIM: The aim of the study is to validate the Italian version of CiTAS, a 18-items scale that assesses specific TAs, symptoms of discomfort and their impact on patient nutrition. METHODS: A convenience sample of 243 patients with chemotherapy-induced taste alterations were enrolled. Data were analyzed for item consistency using Cronbach alpha and construct validity using factor analysis. RESULTS: The factor analysis identified four dimensions that explained a total variance of 67%: decline in basic taste, discomfort, phantogeusia and parageusia, and general taste alterations. The scale showed good validity (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The CiTAS enabled the valid and reliable measurement of specific symptoms of chemotherapy-induced TAs. It can be used both as a clinical tool and in future studies to evaluate the effectiveness of specific TAs treatments.
UNLABELLED: . Italian validation of the Chemotherapy Induced Taste Alteration Scale. Introdution. Taste alterations (TAs) are an underestimated side effect despite affecting 75% of chemo-radiotherapy patients. TAs may cause discomfort and food aversions up to loss of appetite and anorexia. The available instruments do not discriminate the different types of TAs. AIM: The aim of the study is to validate the Italian version of CiTAS, a 18-items scale that assesses specific TAs, symptoms of discomfort and their impact on patient nutrition. METHODS: A convenience sample of 243 patients with chemotherapy-induced taste alterations were enrolled. Data were analyzed for item consistency using Cronbach alpha and construct validity using factor analysis. RESULTS: The factor analysis identified four dimensions that explained a total variance of 67%: decline in basic taste, discomfort, phantogeusia and parageusia, and general taste alterations. The scale showed good validity (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The CiTAS enabled the valid and reliable measurement of specific symptoms of chemotherapy-induced TAs. It can be used both as a clinical tool and in future studies to evaluate the effectiveness of specific TAs treatments.
Authors: Anne Kathrine Larsen; Christine Thomsen; Mathilde Sanden; Lotte Boa Skadhauge; Camilla Bundgaard Anker; Marie Nerup Mortensen; Wender L P Bredie Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-06-02 Impact factor: 3.603