Validation and Application of the Chinese Version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective To validate and use the Chinese Version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) to assess the symptom burden of breast cancer patients in China. Methods A total of 342 breast cancer patients in China participated in this study. Their symptoms were investigated with the MDASI-C from November 2020 to February 2021, and the reliability and validity of this tool were evaluated, respectively. Cluster analysis and correlation analysis were also performed. Results The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values of the symptom and interference items were 0.827 and 0.880, respectively. Construct validity revealed a four-factor structure. The Kaiser—Meyer—Olkin value was 0.760. The Karnofsky Performance Status, treatment phase, and cancer stage of the patients were grouped, and the differences of scores within the groups were significant. In addition, the employment status, education level, and age of the patients were significantly correlated with the symptoms. The correlation analysis of the education level of the patients showed that most of the symptoms and interference items were reduced as the education level was increased. The top three symptoms were disturbed sleep (3.10±2.52), difficulty remembering (2.54±2.30), and fatigue (2.24±2.13). The clinical and biochemical indicators such as body mass index and neutral granulocyte lymphocyte ratio had effects on many symptoms. As the patients’ BMI increased, the patients’ pain, disturbed sleep, and difficulty remembering were aggravated, and numbness was alleviated. Conclusion The MDASI-C is a reliable and effective assessment tool to evaluate patients with breast cancer in China. The symptoms are related to many clinical and biochemical indicators.