Hanne Verbelen1, Tessa De Vrieze1,2, Timia Van Soom1, Jill Meirte1, Mireille Van Goethem3,4, Godelieve Hufkens4, Wiebren Tjalma3,5,6, Nick Gebruers7,8. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Louvain, Belgium. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium. 4. Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. 5. Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. 6. Oedema Clinic, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. 7. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium. nick.gebruers@uantwerpen.be. 8. Oedema Clinic, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. nick.gebruers@uantwerpen.be.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To develop a diagnostic tool, the Breast Edema Questionnaire (BrEQ) and to determine its clinimetric properties. METHODS: The BrEQ was developed based on information from literature, experts and breast edema patients. Content validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency and cut-off point were investigated in a group of breast cancer patients. Construct validity made up two parts; convergent and known-groups validity. Convergent validity was tested by correlating the BrEQ with skin thickness measured with ultrasound (US). RESULTS: In part 1 of the BrEQ, symptoms of breast edema were scored from 0 to 10: pain, heaviness, swelling, tensed skin, redness, pitting sign, enlarged skin pores and hardness. Taking into account the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, several activity limitations and participation restrictions were scored from 0 to 10 in part 2. Clinimetric properties of part 1 were examined in 55 patients. US showed that 35 women had breast edema. Content validity was good. Regarding convergent validity, all breast symptoms correlated moderately with skin thickness. The total symptom score had a strong correlation with skin thickness. Concerning known-groups validity, patients with breast edema had a higher total symptom score. Test-retest reliability ranged between moderate and strong. The internal consistency was good for all items and the total symptom score. We identified that a score cut-off point of ≥ 8.5 discriminates between patients with breast edema and those without. CONCLUSION: Part 1 of the BrEQ-Dutch version is a valid and reliable tool for assessing clinical indicators of breast edema.
PURPOSE: To develop a diagnostic tool, the Breast Edema Questionnaire (BrEQ) and to determine its clinimetric properties. METHODS: The BrEQ was developed based on information from literature, experts and breast edemapatients. Content validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency and cut-off point were investigated in a group of breast cancerpatients. Construct validity made up two parts; convergent and known-groups validity. Convergent validity was tested by correlating the BrEQ with skin thickness measured with ultrasound (US). RESULTS: In part 1 of the BrEQ, symptoms of breast edema were scored from 0 to 10: pain, heaviness, swelling, tensed skin, redness, pitting sign, enlarged skin pores and hardness. Taking into account the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, several activity limitations and participation restrictions were scored from 0 to 10 in part 2. Clinimetric properties of part 1 were examined in 55 patients. US showed that 35 women had breast edema. Content validity was good. Regarding convergent validity, all breast symptoms correlated moderately with skin thickness. The total symptom score had a strong correlation with skin thickness. Concerning known-groups validity, patients with breast edema had a higher total symptom score. Test-retest reliability ranged between moderate and strong. The internal consistency was good for all items and the total symptom score. We identified that a score cut-off point of ≥ 8.5 discriminates between patients with breast edema and those without. CONCLUSION: Part 1 of the BrEQ-Dutch version is a valid and reliable tool for assessing clinical indicators of breast edema.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast edema; Breast neoplasms; Clinimetric properties; Questionnaire; Reliability; Validity
Authors: I A Olivotto; L M Weir; C Kim-Sing; C D Bajdik; C H Trevisan; C M Doll; W Y Lam; V E Basco; S M Jackson Journal: Radiother Oncol Date: 1996-10 Impact factor: 6.280