Psychometric properties of the Functional Evaluation Instrument for Cancer Treatment – Cognitive Function (FACT-COG) in Mexican patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with breast cancer present within their main effects on their quality of life during or after treatment cognitive impairment. Its timely detection and attention can improve the functionality of this group of patients. Objective: To determine the psychometric properties of the Functionality Assessment Instrument in Cancer Treatment - Cognitive Function (FACT-COG) in a sample of Mexican breast cancer patients. Method: 200 patients from the National Institute of Cancerology participated; the average age was 45.59 years. A non-experimental transverse design was used. Instruments: FACT-COG, Anxiety and Hospital Depression Scale (HADS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Statistical analysis: An exploratory and confimatory factorial model was carried out as well as concurrent validity. Results: Four factors with 36 items were identified. The internal consistencies of each subscale had a value of between 0.98 to 0.95, of the global scale 0.98, which explained 77.6% of the variance. The confirmatory factor analysis presents adequate indicators and the adjustment of the structure of the model (CFI, RMR and RMSEA) that indicate a balanced and parsimonious model. Validity, through correlation with concurrent measures, showed significant results (Pearson’s r from .80 to -.55). Discussion and conclusion The FACT-COG in patients with breast cancer in the Mexican population presented adequate and robust exploratory and confirmatory psychometric characteristics. The relevance of the results obtained is that it is a population that may require timely detection of cognitive impairments during treatment.