Qual Life Res. 2026 Nov 1;35(11):317. doi: 10.1007/s11136-026-04415-5.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The Steroid Symptom Questionnaire - Multiple Myeloma (SSQ-MM) was developed to assess patient-reported side effects of corticosteroid treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the SSQ-MM into Danish and Norwegian, and to provide an initial evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version.
METHODS: Translation and cultural adaptation followed ISPOR good practice guidelines, including forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing interviews with patients and clinicians. Psychometric evaluation was conducted in newly diagnosed Norwegian MM patients receiving weekly dexamethasone. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was explored through correlations with EORTC QLQ-C30 constructs and known-groups comparisons based on ECOG performance status. Responsiveness was evaluated across three time points.
RESULTS: The Danish and Norwegian translations were considered relevant and acceptable by patients and clinicians. The Norwegian version demonstrated acceptable internal consistency for the total score (α = 0.74) and psychological subscale (α = 0.81). Correlation patterns were generally consistent with predefined hypotheses and known-groups validity was supported by differences in symptom scores according to ECOG performance status. Responsiveness analyses demonstrated significant increases in the total score and several steroid-related symptoms during treatment, whereas fewer changes were observed following treatment discontinuation. Overall, symptom levels were lower than those reported in the original Australian validation study.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the Norwegian cohort provide preliminary evidence supporting the reliability, construct validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness of the Norwegian SSQ-MM. Further studies in larger, diverse MM populations are needed to further evaluate its measurement properties.
PMID:42967255 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-026-04415-5