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A reliability and validity study of the PROMIS measures with underserved lung cancer and head-and-neck cancer patients

Date

2019

Authors

Gutierrez, Crystal, author
Borrayo, Evelinn, advisor
Gonzalez, Jessica, committee member
Harman, Jennifer, committee member

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Abstract

Higher incidence of cancer diagnosis, death, and psychosocial distress are present among traditionally underserved and marginalized populations in the United States. High mortality rates and physical pain are associated with lung cancer and head and neck cancer due to less favorable treatment outcomes and later stage diagnosis that is typical with these types of cancer, and these high rates are observed more often in populations of patients who are identified as underserved. These physical symptoms are coupled with increased psychological distress throughout the course of treatment for underserved cancer patients. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common and often are associated with poorer treatment adherence and outcomes. The current study seeks to validate the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures in a sample of underserved lung cancer and head and neck cancer patients. Data was collected from 92 respondents who were recently diagnosed with lung cancer and/or head and neck cancer and were identified as underserved either by indicating that their household income fell below the Federal poverty line or by indicating that they were uninsured or underinsured. Responses on the PROMIS measures anxiety and depression subscales were correlated with responses on other measures of anxiety and depression in order to establish convergent validity. Predictive validity was determined by exploring the ability of the PROMIS measures to detect the presence of a previously diagnosed mental health concern. PROMIS anxiety and depression responses were analyzed with responses on a measure of quality of life to establish discriminant validity. The results of this study imply that the PROMIS measures are valid and reliable in a sample of underserved lung cancer and head and neck cancer patients. In doing so, the study hopes to increase the ease of understanding the psychological distress experienced by underserved lung cancer and head and neck cancer patients and inform future intervention efforts.

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