• Sally E Jensen, Sarah K Rosenbloom, Jennifer L Beaumont, Amy Abernethy, Paul B Jacobsen, Karen Syrjala, and David Cella.
• Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. sjensen@northshore.org
• Gynecol. Oncol. 2011 Feb 1; 120 (2): 214-9.

ObjectiveThis study sought to develop and examine preliminary validity of the NCCN-FACT Ovarian Symptom Index-18 (NFOSI-18), a new ovarian cancer-specific symptom index comprised of symptoms rated as highest priority by both oncology clinical experts and women with advanced ovarian cancer.MethodsFifty-one women with advanced ovarian cancer rated the importance of 30 symptoms associated with advanced ovarian cancer. Ten gynecologic oncologists then rated symptoms according to whether they were predominantly disease- or treatment-related. Patient priorities were then reconciled with previously-published clinician priorities for symptom measurement in ovarian cancer. This produced the NFOSI-18. Participants also completed measures of quality of life and performance status to examine preliminary validity of the NFOSI-18.ResultsAn 18-item symptom index for advanced ovarian cancer was developed, including three subscales: disease-related symptoms, treatment-related symptoms, and general function/well-being. Lower NFOSI-18 scores indicate greater high-priority symptom burden. Preliminary reliability suggests good internal consistency (α=0.80). The NFOSI-18 and its subscales were significantly positively associated with quality of life validity criteria. Scores on the NFOSI-18 differed significantly by performance status, with poor performance status associated with lower NFOSI-18 scores.ConclusionsThe NFOSI-18 shows preliminary evidence for reliability and validity as a brief assessment of the most important symptoms associated with treatment for advanced ovarian cancer.Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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