Psychometric assessment of the Traditional Chinese Version of patient reported outcome measurement for breast surgery (BREAST-Q) – Reconstruction module

Background and objectives

Patient-reported outcomes, as important indicators of quality of life, was utilized in a widely used breast surgery measurement (BREAST-Q) for assessing patient's physical, psychosocial wellbeing and satisfaction. However, the lack of a Traditional Chinese version has limited its use in patient management in Taiwan. The study aims to psychometrically evaluate the Traditional Chinese BREAST-Q reconstruction module for Taiwanese patients undergoing breast cancer related reconstruction.

Methods

Forward and backward translations of the BREAST-Q was followed by expert reviews and pilot testing. Patients undergoing silicon breast reconstruction surgery were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient clinic at a comprehensive medical center. 155 and 96 participants completed the BREAST-Q and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast (FACT-B) before and after surgery, respectively. Psychometric properties were analyzed with internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content, construct and criterion validity.

Results

The translated BREAST-Q reconstruction module had Cronbach's alpha values of 0.87 and 0.92 before and after surgery, respectively. The Pearson r values between the baseline and the two-weeks retest were.85 and.73, indicating high test-retest reliability. Expert validity measured by the Content Validity Index were 0.96 and 0.98. Concurrent validity measured by the Pearson correlation coefficients between the BREAST-Q and the FACT-B were.26 and.38, indicating good criterion-related validity.

Conclusions

This study confirms reliability and clinical validity of the Traditional Chinese BREAST-Q reconstruction module in Taiwan for measuring the satisfaction with breasts, overall outcome, process of care, and psychosocial, physical and sexual well-being before and after patients’ breast reconstruction surgery.