Information needs of cancer patients: Validation of the Greek Cassileth's Information Styles Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to validate the translated in Greek Cassileth's Information Styles Questionnaire (ISQ). METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of one hundred and nine adult patients diagnosed with cancer, attending the oncology outpatient department (outpatients) or being hospitalized (inpatients), from January 2013 to September 2013, in one general hospital in Athens. Two instruments were used: The Control Preference Scale (CPS), an assessment tool to measure decision-making preferences of cancer patients and ISQ to assess the information needs of patients. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out to evaluate construct validity of the ISQ. The internal consistency of subscales was analyzed with Cronbach's alpha and the association of demographics and clinical variables with the ISQ was explored using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty one (56%) patients were males. The mean age was 65.5 (SD = 11.9) years. Two dimensions of the ISQ were revealed. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 for "Disease and treatment" dimension (12 of 17 items of the questionnaire) and 0.89 for "Psychological" dimension (5 of 17 items of the questionnaire). Statistical analysis showed that the patients' preferred decision making roles were associated with the ISQ dimensions. Also, age, sex, diagnosis, educational level and the existence of metastasis were associated with the score of "Disease and treatment" dimension. All the scales of ISQ, exceeded the minimum reliability standard of 0.70. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the Greek ISQ is a reliable and valid tool for identifying the information needs of cancer patients.

Residue levels of chlorpropham in individual tubers and composite samples of postharvest-treated potatoes.

Chlorpropham, a herbicide and sprout suppressant, is used on stored potatoes to prolong the storage period without deterioration of produce quality. Data for residue concentrations on an individual tuber basis are required by WHO for the estimation of the variability factor. In this study, the levels of chlorpropham in individual tubers and in composite samples were determined. The distribution of chlorpropham between the peel and the tuber flesh was examined, and the fate during the cooking process (washing, boiling, frying) was studied. The concentrations in individual tubers ranged from 1.8 to 7.6 mg/kg 10 days postapplication (mean 3.8 mg/kg, RSD 39%), from 0.7 to 4.0 mg/kg 28 days postapplication (mean 2.9 mg/kg, RSD 28%), and from 0.8 to 3.8 mg/kg 65 days postapplication (mean 2.2 mg/kg, RSD 48%). The calculated residues in composite samples 10 days postapplication ranged from 4.3 to 6.1 mg/kg (mean 4.9 mg/kg, RSD 20%). Those in samples taken 28 days postapplication ranged from 3.1 to 4.2 mg/kg (mean 3.8 mg/kg, RSD 15%). The concentrations determined in composite samples of whole tubers 65 days postapplication ranged between 2.6 and 3.2 (mean 2.9 mg/kg, RSD 11%). Peeling removed 91-98% of the total residue; washing reduced residues by 33-47%. Detectable residues were found in boiled potatoes and the boiling water, and in french fries and the frying oil. Monitoring data on commercial prefried frozen french fries are reported.