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Background: PedsQL Infant Scales (PedsQL-I) are used to assess parent-reported health-related quality of life for children younger than 2 years. We determined the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Japanese version of the PedsQL-I. Methods: A total of 183 participants (parents) with infants aged 1–30 months were recruited from 8 day care centers and one pediatric clinic. Participants completed the PedsQL-I (infants aged 1–18 months), the PedsQL-I and the PedsQL-Toddler version (infants aged 19–30 months), and the Kessler-6 psychological distress scale (all participants). We determined feasibility, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, concurrent validity, convergent and discriminant validity, known-groups validity with regard to acute and chronic illness, and relative and transitional validity with PedsQL-Toddler for the use in infants aged 25–30 months. Results: All subscales were internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha for 1–12 months: 0.88–0.98 and for 13–24 months: 0.85–0.97); test–retest reliability was acceptable (intra-class correlation coefficients > 0.40); and all scales were concurrently valid with the PedsQL-Toddler version (Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient for the total score = 0.74). The scales' convergent and discriminant validity were acceptable (scaling success rate > 80%). Validation for known-groups showed that the Physical Health Summary score was sensitive to acute and chronic disease, the Psychosocial Health Summary score was sensitive to neither acute nor chronic disease, and the total score was sensitive to acute disease. Relative validity showed a ratio of 1.74 for the squared t values for the total score. Conclusions: The PedsQL-I is suitable for assessing health-related quality of life in infants aged 1–24 months in prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The evaluation of transition readiness is indispensable for long‐term follow‐ups of adolescent patients with childhood‐onset chronic diseases (CCD). We developed a Japanese version of the TRANSITION‐Q (TRANSITION‐Q‐J) and used it to assess Japanese patients with CCD. Methods: The TRANSITION‐Q‐J was developed through forward and backward translations followed by cognitive interviews with five adolescent patients. The field test was conducted with 125 adolescent patients, and a retest was conducted with 113 adolescent patients. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two‐factor analysis model including F1 (communication and self‐management) and F2 (examination behavior). Sufficient internal consistency and test‐retest reliability were demonstrated among the total 14 items, F1, and F2 (Cronbach's α > 0.80, intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.85). Convergent and discriminant validity for the 14 items and F1 were acceptable; however, F2 did not correlate significantly with the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and Independent Consciousness Scale. Regarding known‐groups validity, the older group had a significantly higher mean TRANSITION‐Q‐J score (50.05) than the younger group (43.28; P = 0.04). The same results were found for both F1 and F2. Conclusions: The TRANSITION‐Q‐J for adolescent patients with CCD was developed and its reliability and validity were verified. This scale is easy to administer. In addition to being a tool for transition period support, it could be used to verify effective factors and in program outcome evaluation, including intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Caregiving Interface Work Scale (J‐CIWS) for use with employed Japanese family caregivers. Methods: Permission was obtained from the developer of the original CIWS. The CIWS contains 20 items: 10 measuring care interface work (CIW) and 10 measuring work interface care (WIC). Responses are measured on a five‐point Likert scale. The J‐CIWS was developed through forward‐ and back‐translation and cognitive interviews of employed family caregivers. An internet survey was conducted with 116 employed family caregivers, and 78 participants answered a retest. Questionnaire items included the J‐CIWS and demographic factors. Factor analysis was conducted to determine the J‐CIWS factor structure. Validity was assessed based on known‐groups, convergent and discriminant validity. Internal consistency was examined by calculating Cronbach's α. Test–retest reliability was examined by calculating the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean participant age was 50.3 years; 74 (63.8%) were male. The average weekly working and caregiving hours were 41.6 and 12.1 h, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original two‐factor model. High internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.90) and sufficient test–retest reliability (weighted κ score >0.45) were demonstrated for both subscales. Convergent and discriminant validity were acceptable for the two subscales (CIW and WIC). Conclusions: This study confirmed the usefulness of the CIWS within a Japanese context. The J‐CIWS may be useful for evaluating the extent of the conflict between work and care among employed family caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 254–261. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) experience physical late effects related to their cancer types and treatment modalities. Physical late effects are an important factor in various occupational outcomes among CCSs. However, the relationship between physical late effects and presenteeism has remained unclear. This study aimed to estimate the impacts of physical late effects on presenteeism among employed CCSs. Methods: Childhood cancer survivors replied to a questionnaire regarding presenteeism, and their attending physicians assessed their physical late effects between September 2014 and December 2015. The Work Limitations Questionnaire was used to measure presenteeism. Propensity score analysis and a generalized linear model were used to adjust covariates related to physical late effects and / or presenteeism. Results: Of the 125 questionnaires distributed, 114 were returned. The data from 61 employed CCSs were analyzed. After controlling for covariates by propensity score analysis and generalized linear model, there were no significant differences in presenteeism between employed CCSs with either no or single physical late effects. However, employed CCSs with multiple physical late effects reported higher scores in Output (Estimate = 9.3, P = 0.041), Physical Demands (Estimate = 12.2, P = 0.020), and Productivity Loss scores (Estimate = 2.4, P = 0.045) on the Work Limitations Questionnaire than employed CCSs with no physical late effects. Conclusions: Employed CCSs with multiple physical late effects were at an increased risk for presenteeism. Healthcare and social welfare systems should be established to provide vocational assistance for CCSs after being employed to alleviate presenteeism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Nurses are expected to have a role in the transition of care from pediatric to adult medical practices for adolescents and young adults with childhood‐onset chronic diseases. This study compares the experience, knowledge, and perceptions regarding the ideal care among adult unit and pediatric nurses regarding the transition to adult care for those with childhood‐onset chronic diseases. Methods: A cross‐sectional study using self‐report questionnaires was conducted with nurses in a tertiary hospital in Tokyo. Questions were generated based on a literature review and expert discussion. Data from 1,064 participants were analyzed (adult unit nurses: n = 959, 90.1%; pediatric nurses: n = 105, 9.9%). Results: Among 623 adult unit nurses who had care experience for adult patients with a childhood‐onset chronic disease, 458 nurses (73.6%) were unaware of the concept of transitional care. As the obstructive factors for transition, pediatric nurses recognized problems in healthcare providers' attitudes and lack of transitional care coordinators, while the adult unit nurses emphasized the patients' wishes to continue to receive pediatric healthcare. Most adult unit nurses expected pediatric nurses to function as transitional care coordinators. Conclusion: Adult unit and pediatric nurses had different perceptions of the barriers in transitioning children with chronic diseases to adult care. It is important to have educational programs focusing on transitional care for all nurses, both to enable pediatric nurses to improve transition readiness of children with chronic diseases and to offer adult patients with a childhood‐onset chronic disease continuing support through adult unit nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing non-completion of quality-of-life assessment in clinical trials is an important challenge in obtaining accurate data and unbiased interpretation of patients' quality-of-life for each regimen. We evaluated the effect of changing our questionnaire distribution procedure in a multicenter phase II/III trial on the response rate to a quality-of-life questionnaire. Methods: In the trial, we distributed 1767 questionnaires and 1045 were returned. We adopted a regression discontinuing design and estimated the change in response rate between pre-intervention (quality-of-life questionnaires were sent to each center soon after patient registration) and post-intervention (a set of tailored questionnaires was sent just before the first quality-of-life assessment). Results: The post-intervention response rate was higher (odds ratio = 1.62) than the pre-intervention response rate. Conclusions: A simple logistic intervention reduced the non-completion of QOL assessment in this case, suggesting that a simple change can contribute to improving clinical trial accomplishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Returning to school after a cancer diagnosis can be socially challenging for children with cancer. This study investigated the form of support for school reentry and the associations with social support from peers and teachers. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. Children with cancer and their guardians completed questionnaires. Their guardians also underwent a semi-structured interview to describe the background of support for school reentry. Results: Thirty-nine children with cancer and guardian dyads completed questionnaires and three guardians underwent semi-structured interview. Peer visits and their understanding of hospital experiences and how to interact with children were related to social support from peers. Teachers' understanding of physical appearance, academic performance, hospital experience and of how to interact with children was related to social support from peers. Teachers' understanding of diagnosis/treatment, academic performance and their status as the liaison between doctors/nurses in hospitals and teachers in local schools were also related to social support from teachers. Furthermore, children with cancer were also encouraged to establish supportive relationships with peers and teachers as a result of school reentry support that (i) helped children to feel that they are still members of the local school; (ii) improved peer and teacher understanding of the long-term recovery process of children with cancer; and (iii) facilitated the children's own awareness that they are fighting the disease. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary team consisting of the children with cancer, their families, doctors, nurses and teachers in the local school need to communicate with peers regarding positive experiences of fighting, and overcoming, severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]