Investigation of Radiation-Induced Xerostomia: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Xerostomia Questionnaire (P-Xq) Among Older Head and Neck Cancer Patients Publisher Pubmed



T Molania Jolodar TAHEREH ; H Najafi HADI ; Ah Yousefi Amir HOSSEIN ; A Jorbonyan ABDOLHAKIM ; S Papi SHAHAB
Source: International Journal of Radiation Biology Published:2025

Abstract

Background and purpose: Dry mouth (xerostomia) is one of the most common early and late side effects of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) survivors, despite advances in radiotherapy planning and administration. Given the major influence of xerostomia on cancer patients’ quality of life, this study examined the psychometric features of the Persian version of the Xerostomia Questionnaire (P-XQ) in older Iranian HNC patients. Methods: Conducted between April and June 2024, this methodological study used convenience sampling at the Iran Cancer Institute in Tehran, Iran. The P-XQ was translated, culturally adapted, and its psychometric properties were analyzed using SPSS v.25, with statistical significance set at p <.05. Results: A total of 200 older patients aged 60 or older, participated in this study. Face, content (SCVI/average = 0.89) and cross-cultural validity were established by the experts. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the extracted model was a good fit (GFI = 0.91 and CFI = 0.95). The Pearson correlation between P-SDS and the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) questionnaire was significant (p < 0.05, r = 0.92). The internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.93) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.92) of the Persian version (P-XQ) were both satisfactory. Except for gender and smoking, other variables showed significant relationships with the P-XQ scores. No floor or ceiling effects were found. Conclusion: Researchers can utilize the P-XQ to measure radiation-induced xerostomia in older HNC patients due to its excellent reliability, validity, and ease of use. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.