The feasibility of psychometric measures for body image and lymphedema for routine practice

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of the Male Genital Self-Image Scale (MGSIS-5) and Groin and Lower Limb Lymphedema questionnaire (G3L-20) in a community sample of cisgender men aged 40 years and older. Psychometric measures can aid urologic practice by prompting patients to talk about aspects of their body that are either too sensitive or a natural part of aging. Importantly, reliable and valid measures can also contribute to an evidenced-based-practice-based-evidence cycle where they can establish the impact of changes recommended by research while using the results in turn to inform research. In this study, we examine two psychometric measures on the opposite ends of a psychological-physical continuum; the MGSIS-5 and the G3L-20. A non-experimental psychometric design was employed, administering the questionnaires online to a community sample of cisgender men aged 40 years old and above. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted. Thirty men completed the study; 14 aged 40 to 49, 14 aged 50 to 59 and 2 aged 60 to 69. The MGSIS-5 and G3L-20 show acceptable reliability and validity with one-and three-component structures, respectively. The MGSIS-5 and G3L-20 show sufficient feasibility to justify the resources for studies with larger community samples and for pilot studies with clinical populations. K E Y W O R D S genital body image, lymphedema, psychometric measures, quality of life

The feasibility of patient reported outcome measures for the care of penile cancer

“…The MGSIS-5 15,17 has five items which are scored on a four point Likert scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 4 = strongly agree.…”

“…The means for the individual questions and total score indicate a positive genital self-image (see Table 2), which are similar to those found in community samples of men aged 40 years and older. 15 Completion rates were high, with most participants completing most items.…”

“…The mean total score for the GL3-20 was 6.15 with a SD of 5.36 (see Table 3), which is higher than in a community population. 15 The plausible clinical cut-off scores 18 are in the range 3-6, which means it may identify some participants as potentially having lymphedema. Completion rates were high, with most participants completing most items.…”

“…13,14 Furthermore, when used in routine practice, PROMS are not just outcome measures but offer what is called a virtual evidence-based-practice-based cycle. 15,16 When patients consent, routinely collected quality of life data can help evaluate treatments, minimizing the cost of clinical trials. For example, the International Penile Advanced Trial (InPACT; ISRCTN13580965) includes a quality of measure but this adds to the financial burden of research that already struggles to attract funding.…”

“…A study testing the Male Genital Self-Image Scale (MGSIS-5) and the Groin and Lower Limb Lymphedema Scale (G3L-20) in a community population of men aged 40 years and older concluded that feasibility studies of using these measures in clinical populations would be justified. 15…”