Abstract:
Context. Pain is a common complaint in oncology patients, and success in its
treatment requires accurate assessment. Thus, assessment tools that are practical,
culturally sensitive, and psychometrically sound are needed.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric
properties and cultural sensitivity of the Arabic Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) in
a Lebanese sample of cancer patients. The BPI measures the location and severity
of pain; pain relief from treatment; and the pain’s interference with life.
Methods. The BPI was translated into Arabic. Its cultural sensitivity was
evaluated by a panel of experts. This instrument and a visual analogue scale for
pain were administered to a convenience sample of 75 adult oncology patients
receiving pain treatment.
Results. The experts’ ratings indicated that the tool was culturally sensitive. The
majority of the patient sample (88%) was married, male (78.7%), older than
46 years (56%), and with at least a secondary education (84%). The mean pain
intensity rating was 5.3 1.7, with interference ratings of 5.3 2.0 to 7.0 2.5.
Most patients (78.4%) reported more than 50% pain relief with treatment.
Cronbach alpha coefficients were 0.82 and 0.92 for the severity and interference
items, respectively. Factor analysis yielded two factors, replicating the severity and
interference dimensions. Correlations between the severity and interference items
ranged between 0.25 and 0.57 (P < 0.05).
Conclusion. The findings support the validity, reliability, and cultural sensitivity
of the Arabic BPI in Lebanese oncology patients. This tool can be used to assess
pain and improve its management in this population.
