Tessa De Vrieze1,2, Jacqueline Frippiat3, Thierry Deltombe3, Nick Gebruers2,4, Wiebren A A Tjalma4,5,6, Ines Nevelsteen7, Sarah Thomis8, Liesbeth Vandermeeren9, Jean-Paul Belgrado10, An De Groef1, Nele Devoogdt1,8. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, MOVANT, Antwerp, Belgium. 3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre de Référence du Lymphoedème, CHU UCL Namur - Site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium. 4. Multidisciplinary Oedema Clinic, University of Antwerp & Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. 5. Department of Medicine, University of Antwerp, MIPRO, Antwerp, Belgium. 6. Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium. 7. Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, UZ Leuven - University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 8. Department of Vascular Surgery and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre for Lymphedema, UZ Leuven - University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 9. Lymphology Research Unit, BLLC - Centre for Lymphedema and Lipedema Brussels & Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. 10. Lymphology Research Unit, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Lymphology Clinic of Brussels & Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
Purpose: Upper limb lymphedema is a vexing morbidity that can occur after the treatment for breast cancer. The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL) is a valid and reliable tool assessing problems in functioning in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Until now, a French-language version was lacking. The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL questionnaire. Methods: A forward-backward translation process between the original language (Dutch) and the target language (French) was performed. Psychometric properties of this final French version were examined in 50 participants. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.66 to 0.95. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for internal consistency were higher than 0.77. Face and content validity were very good because the scoring system was clear for all participants (100%), questions were understandable (100%), and all complaints due to BCRL were mentioned by 78% of the participants. Construct validity was moderate. Convergent validity was established since 3 out of 5 expected domains of the Lymph-ICF-UL showed a moderate correlation with expected domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. There was satisfactory divergent validity as 6 out of 9 hypotheses assessing divergent validity were accepted. Conclusion: The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire and ready for use in clinical as well as in scientific practice.Implications for rehabilitationSince the introduction of more effective treatment modalities increasing the number of breast cancer survivors, the amount of patients dealing with lymphedema is rising likewise up to a pooled incidence rate of more than 16% of the women treated for breast cancer.The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing problems in functioning of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm and/or hand.As the questionnaire provides patient information in the different domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, it facilitates evaluating the impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on daily functioning.Based on the outcomes of the Lymph-ICF-UL treatment goals can be set, where after the questionnaire can be used to monitor long-term results of this treatment and self-care.
Purpose: Upper limb lymphedema is a vexing morbidity that can occur after the treatment for breast cancer. The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL) is a valid and reliable tool assessing problems in functioning in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Until now, a French-language version was lacking. The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL questionnaire. Methods: A forward-backward translation process between the original language (Dutch) and the target language (French) was performed. Psychometric properties of this final French version were examined in 50 participants. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.66 to 0.95. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for internal consistency were higher than 0.77. Face and content validity were very good because the scoring system was clear for all participants (100%), questions were understandable (100%), and all complaints due to BCRL were mentioned by 78% of the participants. Construct validity was moderate. Convergent validity was established since 3 out of 5 expected domains of the Lymph-ICF-UL showed a moderate correlation with expected domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. There was satisfactory divergent validity as 6 out of 9 hypotheses assessing divergent validity were accepted. Conclusion: The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire and ready for use in clinical as well as in scientific practice.Implications for rehabilitationSince the introduction of more effective treatment modalities increasing the number of breast cancer survivors, the amount of patients dealing with lymphedema is rising likewise up to a pooled incidence rate of more than 16% of the women treated for breast cancer.The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing problems in functioning of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm and/or hand.As the questionnaire provides patient information in the different domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, it facilitates evaluating the impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on daily functioning.Based on the outcomes of the Lymph-ICF-UL treatment goals can be set, where after the questionnaire can be used to monitor long-term results of this treatment and self-care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast neoplasms; lymphedema; rehabilitation; reliability and validity; surveys and questionnaires