Validation of the Children’s International Mucositis Evaluation Scale (ChIMES) in paediatric cancer and SCT

Abstract

Objectives were to describe the reliability and validity of a new paediatric-specific mucositis scale, the Children's International Mucositis Evaluation Scale (ChIMES). In a multi-centre prospective study, children aged 0 to ⩽18 years were eligible if they were receiving any of the following: myeloablative stem cell transplantation (SCT), ⩾60 mg m−2 course−1 doxorubicin or ⩾12 g m−2 methotrexate. Multiple measures of mucositis were included along with ChIMES. Respondents were parent proxy report for children aged 0.8 for all respondent types. Criteria for construct validation were met across all measures. ChIMES also demonstrated responsiveness with significant differences between baseline and Day 14. ChIMES is a paediatric-specific measure of mucositis with favourable psychometric properties. It exhibits reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. ChIMES should be incorporated into clinical trials of mucositis prevention and treatment in paediatric cancer and SCT.