Psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Breast Module (BR23)

Yusoff N, Low WY, Yip CH
Correspondence: Nasir Yusof, nasirff@kk.usm.my

ABSTRACT
Introduction The Breast Module (BR23) is increasingly being used worldwide in breast cancer research. This study evaluates the appropriateness of the translated version (i.e. BR23-Malay version) as a useful tool for the Malaysian population who could understand Malay, and examines the reliability and validity of the BR23-Malay version. 
Methods This was a prospective study involving 68 Malaysian women who could understand Malay very well. They answered the BR23-Malay version at two evaluation points – three and ten weeks following surgery for breast cancer. Internal consistency, test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), effect size index, sensitivity and discriminity of the scale were calculated. 
Results Internal consistencies were acceptable for the functional domains (0.87 for body image; 0.84 for sexual functioning) and symptomatology domains (0.82 for systemic therapy side effect; 0.82 for breast symptoms; 0.70 for arm symptoms). Test-retest ICC ranged from 0.26 to 1.00. Sensitivity of the scale was observed in all domains except sexual functioning. 
Conclusion The Malay version of BR23 is a suitable tool to measure the functional and symptomatology domains of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Keywords: BR23, Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, Malay version, test-retest reliability and validity
Singapore Med J 2012; 53(1): 36–39