Measurement properties of the Arabic version of the pediatric functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue in children with cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The pediatric Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (PedsFACIT-F) measures fatigue in various clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE:

To verify the measurement properties of the Arabic version (PedsFACIT-F-Ar) in patients with cancer.

METHODS:

In this cross-sectional validation study, the PedsFACIT-F and the Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) were administered to 114 participants (74 boys and 40 girls) aged 8–18. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the structural validity of PedsFACIT-F-Ar. Its construct validity was investigated using the hypothesis testing method to predict a moderate correlation (rho $⩾$ 0.4) with the PedsQL-MFS domains and the total score. Its reliability was also tested.

RESULTS:

The PedsFACIT-F-Ar is a two-factor model that explains 67.38% of the total variance. It is significantly correlated with PedsQL-MFS (rho $>$ 0.84). It displayed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s $\alpha =$ 0.93) and test-retest reliability (ICC ${}_{2.1}$ $=$ 0.99; 95% CI: 0.96–0.99). Bland–Altman’s analysis revealed the absence of a systematic error between the two test sessions. The standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change (MDC ${}_{95}$ ), and MDC% were 0.92, 2.56 points, and 2.88%, respectively, with no floor or ceiling effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

The PedsFACIT-F-Ar demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. The findings suggest the clinical usefulness of this scale.