Supportive care among head and neck cancer patients: An initial validation of the Dutch version of the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (D-PSS-HN).

What is already known on the subject Acute and late toxicities in patients treated with (chemo)radiotherapy for HNC are common and can negatively impact quality of life and performance. Performance status instruments measure the functional ability to perform daily life activities and are important tools in the oncologic population. However, Dutch performance status scales for the HNC population are lacking. Therefore, we translated the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (PSS-HN) into Dutch (D-PSS-HN) and validated this version. What this paper adds to existing knowledge We translated the PSS-HN and demonstrated its convergent and discriminant validity. The subscales of the D-PSS-HN are sensitive to detect changes through time. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The D-PSS-HN is a useful tool to measure HNC patients' functional abilities to perform daily life activities. The tool can easily be used in clinical settings: since data collection duration is very short, this facilitates clinical (and research-related) implementation of the scale. Patients' individual needs could be identified by using the D-PSS-HN, resulting in more appropriate approaches and (early) referrals if needed. Interdisciplinary communication could be facilitated.