Tumori. 2010 Mar-Apr;96(2):276-81.
The revised piper fatigue scale (PFS-R) for Italian cancer
patients: a validation study.
Annunziata MA, Muzzatti B, Mella S,
Narciso D, Giacalone A, Fratino L, Tirelli U.
Unit of Oncological Psychology Centro di Riferimento
Oncologico-IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Aviano, Italy.
annunziata@cro.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fatigue is one of the most frequently
reported symptoms by cancer patients. In recent years, much
effort has been directed to designing fatigue measures which are
psychometrically appropriate as well as easily administered.
Among these, the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R) is widely
used in assessing fatigue in cancer patients and other
populations. Despite its large utilization in different national
contexts and with different populations, its structure appears
to vary across cultures, suggesting the need for its validation
before use. The main aim of the present work was to verify the
validity (i.e., dimensional structure and construct validity)
and reliability (i.e., internal consistency) of an Italian
translation of the PFS-R to reassure Italian oncology
practitioners about its appropriate usage in practice and
research. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: One-hundred ten Italian
oncological inpatients were administered an Italian translation
of the PFS-R together with a form for the collection of personal
identification and clinical data and other fatigue and quality
of life measures (POMS and EORTC QLQ-C30) already validated for
Italy. RESULTS: Principal component exploratory factor analysis
revealed a four-factor structure quite similar to (although not
overlapping) the original described by Piper and colleagues; all
four factors proved to be reliable and to correlate with one
another and with previous validated measures of fatigue and
quality of life. Preliminary descriptive statistics were also
provided for data comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the
discussed limitations, PFS-R seems a valid and reliable
multidimensional fatigue measure also adequate in Italian
oncological settings.
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