CN103 - Is my patient constipated? How do I assess? Validity and reliability study of the constipation assessment scale in cancer patients: The case of Türkiye

Background

Constipation is a common symptom in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or opioids. There are no validated and reliable scales to measure constipation as a side effect in Turkey. The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Constipation Assessment Scale.

Methods

The study is methodological research. The sample included 100 cancer patients in the oncology department of a public hospital who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected between 1 May and 1 September 2023. The validity and reliability of the scale were assessed in three stages: translation, validity (content and construct validity) and reliability. The scale was translated using the back translation technique. The content validity index was 1.00. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93. The scale showed a significant difference between the lower and upper groups (p<0.05). The scale was translated using the back translation technique.

Results

The content validity index of the scale was determined as 1.00. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93. The scale showed a significant difference between the lower and upper groups (p<0.05). The scale made fine distinctions. It was observed that the intraclass correlation coefficient values regarding the agreement between test-retest measurements were high, and there was no difference between test-retest values (p<0.05). It was observed that the fit statistics calculated by confirmatory factor analysis were in acceptable compliance with the predetermined factor structure of the scale. Standardized coefficients show that factor loadings are high. Standard errors were low and t values were significant.

Conclusions

The study concludes that the scale is appropriate for the Turkish population and will be a useful tool for professionals, researchers, and health professionals in future studies.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.