Self-perceived burden in patients with cancer: Scale development and descriptive study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Japanese version of the Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS) for patients with cancer, to confirm its validity and reliability, and to elucidate the features of Self-Perceived Burden in Japanese patients with cancer. Methods: Firstly, study team members carried out repeated translation and back translation. After that, scale development involved several phases including item development, construct validity testing, criterion-related validity testing, and reliability testing. A questionnaire that included the SPBS was distributed to 310 patients with cancer. Responses were received from 226 (72.9%) patients and final analysis was performed on data from 210 of these. Results: Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the 18-item version (alpha = 0.96) of the scale consisted of a single main factor. A 9-item abbreviation (alpha = 0.93) was therefore proposed. The convergent correlations of the SPBS with the FACIT-Sp and GHQ-12 scales showed significant correspondence. The construct of SPB was distinct from the social and family well-being FACIT-Sp subscale. Performance status, disease duration, living arrangement, and main caregiver were significantly related to the SPBS. Conclusion: We developed a Japanese version of the SPBS for cancer patients and demonstrated its validity and reliability, which makes it possible to study SPB in cancer patients in Japan. Our study revealed that cancer patients in Japan also feel SPB, in a way that relates specifically to their cultural background. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.