New Insights in Symptom Assessment: The Chinese Versions of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form (MSAS-SF) and the Condensed MSAS (CMSAS)

There are very few symptom assessment instruments in Chinese. We Present the validity and,reliability of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form (MSAS-SF) and the Condensed Form MSAS (CMSAS) in Chinese cancer patients. The Chinese version of the 32-item MSAS-SE, a self-report measure for assessings symptom distress and frequency in cancer patients, was administered to 256 Chinese patients with colorectal cancer at a clinical oncology outpatient unit. Highly prevalent symptoms included worrying (59%), dry mouth (54 %), lack of energy (54 %), feeling sad (48 %), feeling irritable (48 %), and pain (41 %). Both the MSAS-SF and CMSAS demonstrated good validity and reliability. For the MSAS-SF subscales, Cronbach alphas ranged from 0.84 to 0.91, and for CMSAS subscales, from 0.79 to 0.87. Moderate to-high correlations of MSAS-SF and CMSAS subscales with appropriate European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 subscales (0.4-9-0.71, Ps < 0.001) indicated acceptable convergent validity. Low correlations with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem and Optimism Scale (0.22, P < 0.001) indicated divergent validity. MSAS subscales varied as expected with other Chinese scales-the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and the Life Orientation Scale. Construct validity of both MSAS versions was demonstrated by effective differentiation between clinically distinct patient. groups (Karnofsky scores < 80 % vs. >= 80 % [P < 0.001], no active treatment vs. active treatment [P < 0.002-0.034]; CHQ-12 scores <= 4 vs. CHQ-12 scores > 4 [P < 0.001]). The Number of Symptoms subscale correlated appropriately with the EORTC QLQ-C30 function (-0.46 to -0.60, P < 0.001) and symptom scales (0.31-0.64, P < 0.001). The average time to complete the MSAS-SF was six minutes. The Chinese versions of the MSAS-SF and CMSAS are valid and practical measures. Further validation is needed for Chinese patients with other cancer types and with other symptom instruments. J Pain Symptom Manage 2008;36:584-595. (c) 2008. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.