Refinement and Validation of the Head and Neck Lymphedema and Fibrosis Symptom Inventory.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF) are common yet overlooked late effects of head and neck cancer and its therapy. Lack of reliable and valid measures of head and neck LEF is a critical barrier to the timely identification and management of head and neck LEF. To fill this gap, we developed and pilot tested a 64-item patient-reported outcome measure ( Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Head and Neck, LSIDS-H&N). This article aims to report the process of further validation and refinement of the tool.

Methods and materials

A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted, and 120 patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer were recruited. Participants completed the LSIDS-H&N at pretreatment, end of treatment, and every 3 months up to 12 months after trea

SUBMITTER: Deng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9059777 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature