Background: Neurotoxicity is common after modern chemotherapy, and can be assessed both objectively and subjectively based on symptoms reported by patients. The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of a brief self-report scale for chemotherapy induced long-term neurotoxicity (the SCIN).
Methods: As part of a questionnaire survey 684 testicular cancer survivors (TCSs) filled in the SCIN, which assesses peripheral sensory neuropathy (paresthesias), Raynaud's phenomenon, and ototoxicity. Factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the SCIN were tested by the split-half method. In 538 TCSs, audiogram data were compared to the patients SCIN ratings of hearing.
Results: The internal consistency of the SCIN showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.72. The three-factor structure of the SCIN was confirmed with 77% explained variance. All the SCIN items discriminated significantly between the TCSs who had been treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy vs. those who did not receive such treatment. The individual cumulative cisplatin dose correlated significantly with all the SCIN items. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was 0.54 between hearing reduction at 4000 Hertz measured by audiogram and the SCIN self-report of reduced hearing.
Conclusion: The SCIN shows good psychometric properties, and is recommended as a brief screening instrument for chemotheraphy-indeed neurotoxicity.