The Three-item ALERT-B Questionnaire Provides a Validated Screening Tool to Detect Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms after Pelvic Radiotherapy in Cancer Survivors

作者：Sophia Taylor, Anthony Byrne, Richard Adams, Jeffrey Turner, Louise Hanna, John Staffurth, DAMIAN J. J. FARNELL, Stephanie Sivell, Annmarie Nelson, J. Green · 发表于：Clinical Oncology · 年份：2016 · DOI：10.1016/j.clon.2016.06.004 · 被引用次数：22 · 研究领域：Effects of Radiation Exposure、Oral health in cancer treatment、Cancer survivorship and care

AIMS: Although pelvic radiotherapy is an effective treatment for various malignancies, around half of patients develop significant gastrointestinal problems. These symptoms often remain undetected, despite the existence of effective treatments. This study developed and refined a simple screening tool to detect common gastrointestinal symptoms in outpatient clinics. These symptoms have a significant effect on quality of life. This tool will increase detection rates and so enable access to specialist gastroenterologists, which will in turn lead to improved symptom control and quality of life after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review and expert consensus meeting identified four items for the ALERT-B (Assessment of Late Effects of RadioTherapy - Bowel) screening tool. ALERT-B was face tested for its usability and acceptability using cognitive interviews with 12 patients experiencing late gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy. Thematic analysis and probe category were used to analyse interview transcripts. Interview data were presented to a group of experts to agree on the final content and format of the tool. ALERT-B was assessed for reliability and tested for validity against the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale in a clinical study (EAGLE). RESULTS: Overall, the tool was found to be acceptable in terms of wording, response format and completion time. Participant-reported experiences, including lifestyle modifications and the psychological eff...