The validity and reliability of the turkish version of the constipation risk assessment scale in cancers

Objectives: Cancer increases the incidence of constipation. The best way to prevent constipation is to detect it before it develops. Therefore, it is very important to use valid and reliable scales that assess the risk of constipation in order to prevent its occurrence in cancer patients. This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the Constipation Risk Assessment Scale (CRAS) when applied to the Turkish population with cancer.
Methods: A total of 102 outpatients with cancer were included in the study. According to the Rome IV criteria, participants were divided into two groups: constipated and non-constipated. All patients were evaluated using the CRAS. A subset of patients was randomly selected for retesting with the CRAS.
Results: In the evaluation of the test-retest reliability of the CRAS, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were found to be 0.97 (0.93–0.99) for the total CRAS score and between 0.83 (0.64–0.94) and 0.96 (0.92–0.97) for the subscales. The retest reliability was found to be high (p<0.001). Significant correlations were observed between the total CRAS score and all subscales with the Rome IV criteria, as well as between the CRAS medication subscale and the Rome IV criteria.
Conclusion: The present study showed that the Turkish version of the CRAS is a valid and reliable tool for use with outpatients with cancer. The CRAS can be effectively utilized to identify individuals at risk of constipation and to develop targeted prevention programs. Healthcare professionals can use the Turkish version of the CRAS as a reliable tool to assess constipation risk among cancer patients.