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. 2015 Sep;20(3):328-32.
doi: 10.1111/jns.12140.

Rasch-Transformed Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (RT-TNSc(©) ) in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Davide Binda  1 , Guido Cavaletti  1 , David R Cornblath  2 , Ingemar S J Merkies  3   4 ; CI-PeriNomS study group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Rasch-Transformed Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (RT-TNSc(©) ) in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Davide Binda et al. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Composite scales such as the Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (TNSc(©) ) have been widely used to measure neurological impairment in a standardized manner but they have been criticized due to their ordinal setting having no fixed unit. This study aims to improve impairment assessment in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) by subjecting TNSc(©) records to Rasch analyses. In particular, we wanted to investigate the influence of factors affecting the use of the TNSc(©) in clinical practice. TNSc(©) has 7 domains (sensory, motor, autonomic, pin-prick, vibration, strength, and deep tendon reflexes [DTR]) each being scored 0-4. Data obtained in 281 patients with stable CIPN were subjected to Rasch analyses to determine the fit to the model. The TNSc(©) did not meet Rasch model's expectations primarily because of misfit statistics in autonomic and DTR domains. Removing these two, acceptable model fit and uni-dimensionality were obtained. However, disordered thresholds (vibration and strength) and item bias (mainly cultural) were still seen, but these findings were kept to balance the assessment range of the Rasch-Transformed TNSc(©) (RT-TNSc(©) ). Acceptable reliability findings were also obtained. A 5-domains RT-TNSc(©) may be a more proper assessment tool in patients with CIPN. Future studies are needed to examine its responsive properties.

Keywords: Rasch analysis; chemotherapy; peripheral neuropathy; psychometrics; total neuropathy score.

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