Translation and Validation of the Comprehensive Score of Financial Toxicity for Cancer Patients Into Arabic

Abstract

Background and PurposeWe aimed to translate the Comprehensive Score of Financial Toxicity (COST) questionnaire into Arabic and to evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsWe applied the four-step translation method and conducted a pilot validation study over 179 medical oncology patients. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach alpha coefficient and test–retest stability. Validity was tested using the correlation with Functional assessment of Cancer Therapy-General score (FACT-G), factorial analysis and the content validity index.ResultsQuestionnaire showed high internal consistency and test retest reliability; Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.77 and Pearson stability coefficient was 0.8. Convergent validity evaluation showed a statistically significant moderate correlation with the FACT-G (r = .42, p = .047). Content validly index was 0.93.ConclusionsThe Arabic version of COST questionnaire, was a valid and reliable tool that could be used in clinical practice by healthcare providers to evaluate financial toxicity in Arab speaking cancer patients.