Quality of life of patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan: validation and clinical application of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-STO22

The relatively high incidence of gastric cancer in Taiwan warranted the need of a disease-specific quality of life (QOL) instrument. We translated the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 according to the guidelines from the EORTC. A total of 100 patients were interviewed. Convergent and discriminant validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and known-groups comparisons were used to examine the reliability and validity. We found good reliability for multi-item subscales of the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 (Cronbach's alpha coefficient: 0.70-0.94) except cognitive functioning of the QLQ-C30 and eating restriction of the QLQ-STO22. Patients in the active treatment group experienced compromised functional status and worse treatment-associated symptoms than those in the follow-up group. Similar results were found in comparisons based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status and dysphagia grades. The study has ascertained the cross-cultural validity, reliability and clinical applicability of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22.     

Psychometric Validation of the Malaysian Chinese Version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cancer in Malaysia. We aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Malaysian Chinese version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire core (QLQ-C30) in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Translated versions of the QLQ-C30 were obtained from the EORTC. A cross sectional study design was used to obtain data from patients receiving treatment at two teaching hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Malaysian Chinese version of QLQ-C30 was self administered in 96 patients while the Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS) was generated by attending surgeons. Statistical analysis included reliability, convergent, discriminate validity, and known-groups comparisons. Statistical significance was based on p value ≤0.05. Results: The internal consistencies of the Malaysian Chinese version were acceptable [Cronbach’s alpha (α≥ 0.70)] in the global health status/overall quality of life (GHS/QOL), functioning scales except cognitive scale (α≤0.32) in all levels of analysis, and social/family functioning scale ( =0.63) in patients without a stoma. All questionnaire items fulfilled the criteria for convergent and discriminant validity except question number 5, with correlation with role (r = 0.62) and social/family (r = 0.41) functioning higher than with physical functioning scales (r = 0.34). The test-retest coefficients in the GHS/QOL, functioning scales and in most of the symptoms scales were moderate to high (r = 0.58 to 1.00). Patients with a stoma reported statistically significant lower physical functioning (p=0.015), social/family functioning (p=0.013), and higher constipation (p=0.010) and financial difficulty (p=0.037) compared to patients without stoma. There was no significant difference between patients with high and low KPS scores. Conclusions:Malaysian Chinese version of the QLQ-C30 is a valid and reliable measure of HRQOL in patients with colorectal cancer.     

Understanding the reliability and validity of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Turkish cancer patients

Quality of life (QOL) has become an important area to address. The most commonly used QOL tool in oncology is the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL measure (EORTC QLQ-C30). The aim of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of this widely used questionnaire in Turkish language. A total of 114 cancer patients were recruited in this study. The internal consistency of the subscales, concurrent validity between EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 and Short Form-36 (SF-36), the correlations between the subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale-Anxiety (HADS-A), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale-Depression (HADS-D) were also evaluated. Cronbach's alpha-coefficient for multi-item scales ranged from 0.56 to 0.85, with emotional functioning having the highest Cronbach's alpha-coefficient. General health/QOL subscale was correlated significantly with all other subscales. Modest correlations were found between relevant subscales of SF-36 and EORTC QLQ-C30 scales indicating good convergent validity. Although score of emotional functioning subscale was significantly correlated with HADS-A, no correlation was found with HADS-D. The correlations between general health/QOL and HADS-A and HADS-D were significant though Pearson's coefficients were below 0.4. The EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 is a reliable and valid instrument and suitable for measuring the QOL in cancer patients in Turkey.     

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Moroccan Version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

The increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in Morocco has generated a need for a disease-specific quality-of-life measuring instrument. The present study aims to translate and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Moroccan Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ-C29 measure in Moroccan subjects with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Following translation to Moroccan Arabic, The QLQ-C30 and QLQ-C29 were administered to 135 patients treated for colorectal cancer (CRC) at the national oncology institute of Rabat, in the period from February 2016 to June 2018. Statistical analysis included reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity as well as known-groups comparisons. Results: (89 %) patients completed the questionnaires of the EORTC QLQ C-29 and EORTC QLQ C-30. The test –retest, administered to 25 patients and the ICCs for each item ranged from 0.61 to 0.93 indicating good to excellent reproducibility. The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.70), while the blood and mucus in the stool dimensions had lower reliability (0.65).  Multi-trait scaling analysis showed that multi-item scales met standards of convergent and discriminate validity. All Correlations between the EORTC QLQ C-29 and EORTC QLQ C-30 scores were low (r < 40). The known- group comparisons showed differences between group of patients based on tumor location and with/ without a stoma. Conclusion: The Moroccan Arabic Dialectal version of the QLQ-C 29 is a valid and reliable measure of health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with colorectal cancer.     

The EORTC Core Quality of Life questionnaire (QLQ-C30): validity and reliability when analysed with patients treated with palliative radiotherapy

The EORTC Core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is designed to measure cancer patients' physical, psychological and social functions. The questionnaire is composed of multi-item scales and single items. 247 patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 before palliative radiotherapy and 181 after palliative radiotherapy. The questionnaire was well accepted with a high completion rate in the present patient population consisting of advanced cancer patients with short life expectancy. In addition, the questionnaire was found to be useful to detect the effect of palliative radiotherapy over time. The scale reliability was excellent for all scales except the role functioning scale. Excellent criterion validity was found for the emotional functioning scale where it was correlated with GHQ-20. Performance of the questionnaire was improved after the second evaluation as compared with the first. The present study shows that the EORTC QLQ-C30 is found to be practical and valid in measuring quality of life in patients with advanced disease.     

Psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-BR53 for measuring quality of life for breast cancer patients

A Simplified Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-BR53 was evaluated using responses from 233 patients with breast cancer in China by assessing the construct and criterion-related validity, internal consistency and test–retest reliability, and responsiveness as measured by score changes of the scales. Internal consistency reliability measured by Cronbach’s coefficient α is greater than 0.75 for most multi-item scales except cognitive functioning (0.41) and breast symptoms (0.71). Test–retest reliability coefficients for all domains are greater than 0.80 with the exception of physical functioning (0.65), social functioning (0.75), appetite loss (0.75), diarrhea (0.72), and body image (0.72). Correlation and factor analysis among domains and items showed good construct validity for both QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Score changes over time were observed in most domains except emotional functioning, global health status/QOL, dyspnoea, constipation, diarrhea, financial difficulties, sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, and breast symptoms. Therefore, the Simplified Chinese version of QLQ-BR53 shows reasonable validity, reliability, and responsiveness and can be used to measure QOL for Chinese patients with breast cancer.     

Translation and validation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 for use among Turkish and Moroccan ethnic minority cancer patients in the Netherlands

The purpose of this study was to validate the core EORTC quality of life questionnaire, the QLQ-C30 (version 3.0), for use among Turkish and Moroccan cancer patients in the Netherlands. The questionnaire was translated into two oral Moroccan languages , and the existing Turkish version was culturally adapted for use in the Netherlands. Ninety Turkish and 79 Moroccan patients completed the questionnaire. Administration of the questionnaire proved feasible, with low levels of missing questionnaires (4%) and missing items (on average, 1.5-2.4%). With one minor exception, the evidence of convergent validity was strong for all multi-item scales. Internal consistency reliability was above 0.70 for all scales except the cognitive functioning scale in the Turkish sample. The questionnaire was able to distinguish clearly between subgroups formed on the basis of performance status and comorbidity, and was moderately responsive to change over time in performance status. These data support the use of the QLQ-C30 among Turkish and Moroccan cancer patients residing in the Netherlands. Additional studies are needed to confirm the psychometrics of the questionnaire when used among these ethnic minority groups residing in other Western European countries.     

Validation of the Turkish Versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 Modules in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: To test the validity and reliability of The European Organization for Research and Treatment ofCancer (EORTC) core (QLQ-C30) and breast cancer module (QLQ-BR23) for Turkish breast cancer patients.Patients and Methods: A total of 127 patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) enrolled to this prospective study.EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules applied to patients before initiation of RT and at follow-up period.Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 13.0. Results: Questionnaires’ were found reliable and valid forTurkish breast cancer patients. Six of the 8 multi-item scales of QLQ-C30 had a high reliability (Cronbach’s α>0.7); where physical functioning and pain scores were less reliable (Cronbach’s α of 0.66 and 0.68 respectively).In the QLQ-BR23, 3 of 5 multi-item scales were reliable; less reliable were breast and arm symptoms scale(Cronbach’s α of 0.65 and 0.61 respectively). In our analysis the most determinative subscales of QLQ-C30on global health was emotional functioning followed by fatigue, role functioning and appetite loss (respectivelyp=0.002, p=0.01; p=0.03 and p=0.08). Among QLQ-BR23 scales systemic therapy side effects, future perspectiveand upset by hair loss subscales had high impact on global health status (respectively p=0.006; p=0.01 and p=0.03).Conclusions: The Turkish version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules are reliable and valid tools toassess quality of life of Turkish breast cancer patients.     

肿瘤患者生命质量量表维文版测试效果评价

[目的]分析维文版EORTC QLQ-C30（V3）生命质量量表、维文版QLICP-GM（V1.0）量表的信度和效度。[方法]将EORTC QLQ-C30（V3）生命质量量表、我国自主研制的中文版QLICPGM（V1.0）量表进行翻译、回译及部分文化调适后分别产生维文量表,分别对497例在新疆维吾尔族自治区肿瘤医院住院确诊的恶性肿瘤患者进行问卷调查,分析量表的内部一致性、重测信度、内容效度、区分效度和结构效度等指标。[结果]QLICP-GM量表的内部一致性优于EORTC QLQ-C30量表,但重测信度不如EORTC QLQ-C30量表。QLICP-GM量表的内容效度、区分效度均优于EORTC QLQ-C30量表。[结论]维文版QLICP-GM量表具有良好的信度和效度,更适合应用于新疆公共卫生和其它医学领域。     

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: an examination into the cultural validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30

The Turkish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire version 2.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30 v.2.0) has started to be used in clinical trials recently. The objective of the study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 v.2.0 and the correlation between the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Two hundred and two lung cancer patients were included in the study between January and March 2000. All the subscales met the minimal standards of reliability (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70). Only the role functioning scale differed among the three disease stages of patients (local, locoregional and metastatic). There was no statistically significant difference among therapy types. All interscale correlations were statistically significant ( P  < 0.01). The strongest correlations were found among the physical functioning, role functioning and fatigue scales. Social functioning was closely related with physical, role, emotional and cognitive functioning. The weakest correlations were between nausea/vomiting and the other scales. Global quality of life (QOL) was substantially correlated with most of the scales except cognitive functioning. The coefficients for the correlation between the items differed between 0.12 and 0.97 and all the subscales were strongly correlated with the scales which they formed. The highest correlation between the EORTC QLQ-C30 and KPS was for physical functioning ( r  = 0.62, P  < 0.05). The Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is a valid (by means of interscales validity) and reliable instrument for Turkish lung cancer patients and can be used in clinical studies but needs supporting by the reference data on the QOL of the Turkish population.     

The EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) Quality of Life questionnaire: validation study for Spain with head and neck cancer patients

The EORTC Quality of Life Study Group has developed a questionnaire for evaluating Quality of Life in international clinical trials: QLQ-C30. The purpose of the present work is to validate the third version of this questionnaire (3.0) for use in Spain.Two hundred and one head and neck cancer patients completed the QLQ-C30 at one or two time points during the treatment and follow-up periods, and a subsample completed the questionnaire on three occasions. Psychometric evaluation of the structure, reliability and validity of the questionnaire was undertaken.The data support the structure and the reliability of the scales. Validity was confirmed in three ways: the interscale correlations are statistically significant and moderate, several scales and items discriminate among groups of patients with different scores on the clinical variables, and some scales reflect significant changes during treatment and the follow-up period.The EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) is a reliable and valid questionnaire when applied to a sample of Spanish head and neck cancer patients. These results are in line with previous studies.     

Validation of the simplified Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-C30 from the measurements of five types of inpatients with cancer

Background: European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life (QOL) questionnaire (QLQ-C30) has been used frequently and many language versions have been developed, including the simplified Chinese version. It is important to study psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version from the clinical standpoint.Patients and methods: The simplified Chinese version of the QLQ-C30 was used in a longitudinal study of 600 patients with five types of cancer: lung, breast, head and neck, colorectal, and stomach. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated by indicators of validity and reliability coefficients such as Cronbach's α and Pearson's correlation coefficient r, standardized response mean (SRM), correlational analysis, t-tests, and structural equation models.Results: Correlation and structural equation model analyses confirmed good construct validity with root mean square error of approximation 0.054, standardized root mean square residual 0.037, non-normed fit index 0.972, and comparative fit index 0.980. The α coefficients for all domains are >0.7 except for cognitive functioning (0.49). The test–retest reliability coefficients for most domains are >0.80 except for appetite loss (0.77) and diarrhea (0.75). The QOL score changes after treatments were of statistical significance with higher or moderate SRM in most domains.Conclusion: The simplified Chinese version of QLQ-C30 has good validity, reliability, and responsiveness and can be used to measure QOL for Chinese cancer patients.     

Validation of the Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 questionnaires to assess health-related quality of life in Mexican women with breast cancer

The aim of this study was to validate the Mexican-Spanish version of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR23 questionnaire. The translation procedure followed EORTC guidelines. QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 instruments were completed by Mexican women with breast cancer, attending a teaching referral cancer centre from February 2009 to January 2010. Patients were divided in two groups: (1) Patients with early stage of breast cancer; and (2) Patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Reliability and validity tests were performed, and validity over time (responsiveness) was conducted in a subset of patients. Two hundred and thirty-four women (mean age, 52.3 years) completed both questionnaires. Convergent and divergent validity was adequate. Cronbach's alpha of all multi-item scales showed values ≥0.7 except for Cognitive and Breast symptoms scales (0.52 and 0.65 respectively). Patients with early stages (n= 77) showed better functional scores and lower symptoms scores than patients with LABC (n= 157). Score means variation after responsiveness analysis demonstrated high sensitivity to change after breast cancer surgery. The Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire is a valid and suitable instrument to estimate HRQL in patients with breast cancer.     

The EORTC cancer in-patient satisfaction with care questionnaire: EORTC IN-PATSAT32

Objectives  The EORTC Quality of Life (QL) Group has developed a questionnaire (the EORTC IN-PATSAT32) to assess the satisfaction of cancer inpatients with hospital-based care. In this study we assess the psychometric properties of the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 applied to a sample of Spanish patients. Materials and methods  Eighty cancer patients with different tumour sites completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaires. Psychometric evaluation of the structure, reliability and validity was conducted. Results  Multitrait scaling analysis showed that most itemscale correlation coefficients met the standards of convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s coefficients were good (0.77–0.97) for all scales except hospital access. Correlations between the scales and single items of the QLQ-C30 and EORTC IN-PATSAT32 were generally low. Correlations between the Oberst scales and an item on intention to recommend the hospital or ward to others with the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 were moderate. Patients with higher scores on the Oberst scales and the item on intention to recommend the hospital or ward showed higher satisfaction with care levels in all EORTC IN-PATSAT32 areas but one. Conclusions  The EORTC IN-PATSAT32 appears to be a reliable and valid instrument when applied to a sample of Spanish cancer patients. These results are in line with those of the EORTC validation study.     

食管癌化疗患者生存质量测定量表中文版的研制与考评

目的:应用欧洲癌症研究与治疗组织(EORTC)开发的问卷表QLQ-OES18为蓝本来研制其中文版,并对其进行考评。方法:通过量表的翻译、回译和文化调适制定出中文版的QLQ-OES18,并通过考查133例食管癌患者的生存质量对量表进行评价。对EORTCQLQ-OES18中文版量表主要进行信度、效度和反应度三方面的考评,采用克朗巴赫系数考察内部一致性;计算各个领域及方面间相关系数来分析量表的内容效度;使用配对t检验进行第1、2次测定及第1、3次测定得分均数的比较,考察量表的区分效度。结果:EORTCQLQ-OES18显示出较好的可靠性和良好的鉴别能力,能显示出化疗带来的生存质量改变。各领域内部一致性的信度都在0.61以上;各条目与其领域的相关系数值在0.6以上。结论:QLQ-OES18显示出较好的心理测定学和临床有效性,可推荐其与核心量表QLQ-C30联用,用来评估化疗后食管癌患者的生存质量。     

Evaluation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire: A comparison with SF-36 Health Survey in a cohort of Italian long-survival cancer patients

Background: Despite the large amount of data available about the EORTCQLQ-C30 questionnaire, there have been very few studies focussed onlong-survival cancer patients, and no data are available on its performancein the Italian setting.Patients and methods: Within the framework of a project aimed atevaluating the characteristics of available HR-QOL questionnaires in theItalian language, the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire together with the ShortForm 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) were mail-administered to a sample ofpatients previously recruited in two large multicenter randomized clinicaltrials on early breast and colon cancers. The properties of thequestionnaire were evaluated using standard psychometric techniques andcorrelation analyses with demographic and clinical independent variables.Results: In the sample of patients who sent back the questionnaires underevaluation, the EORTC QLQ-C30 showed satisfactory acceptability (responserate = 64% and very low prevalence of missing at item and scalelevel), and the psychometric analyses confirmed the multi-dimensionalconceptualisation in terms of convergent and discriminant validity.Moreover, EORTC QLQ-C30 scales showed substantial correlation with thehomologous SF-36 scales. Few socio-demographic (age, gender, schooling) andclinical (type of cancer disease) variables were associated with HR-QOL.Breast cancer patients reported, on average, worse physical health-relatedscores, but after adjustment for age and education, most of the differencesdisappeared.Conclusions: These findings confirm the validity and robustness of theEORTC QLQ-C30 in this sample of long-survival Italian cancer patients. Furtherad hoc validation studies are required to evaluate its significance in theseparticular patients.     

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Satisfaction with Care EORTC-in-patsat32 Questionnaire among Iranian Cancer Patients

Background: Cancers impose an increasing burden on health of the populations and individuals, but little isknown about cancer patient satisfaction with care. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric propertiesof the Persian version of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) In-Patsat32,as a recently developed questionnaire to assess cancer patient satisfaction with care and information providedduring hospital admission. Materials and Methods: Complying with EORTC protocols, the Persian version ofInpatsat32 was translated and piloted in a small group of patients, then applied to 380 cancer patients admittedto different oncology wards in Tehran. Validity (convergent, discriminant, and divergent) and reliability of thetool was assessed through using multitrait analysis, factor analysis, intraclass correlations, Chronbach’s alphaand test-retest (on a sample of 70 patients). Results: Good acceptance and high sensitivity of the questionnairewith low floor and ceiling effects were recognized, indicating power of the instrument to detect differencesbetween groups with heterogeneous levels of satisfaction. Multitrait scaling analyses supported the convergentvalidity of the majority of scales (correlation coefficient >0.4) and favorable discriminant validity (item own scalecorrelation >0.8). There was no correlation between In-patsat32 scales and the EORTC-C30, which measuresdifferent concepts, confirming divergent validity of the tool. Internal consistency for all domains was high (α>0.70)except for the hospital access score and the test-retest reliability was excellent (r=0.86-0.96). There was a weakresponsiveness to change except for nurses technical skills. Principle component analysis confirmed five domainswith much improved internal consistency (α>0.9). Conclusions: The Persian version of the EORTC-in-patsat32module is a reliable and valid instrument to measure cancer patient satisfaction with care received during theirhospitalization period and can be utilized in clinical cancer research.     

Psychometric properties of the QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) in a sample of ambulatory Cretan cancer patients

The aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30, version 3.0) in a sample of ambulatory cancer patients, mostly low educated and coming from rural areas of the island of Crete. The sample consisted of 188 lung, breast and colorectal cancer patients. Their quality of life (QoL) has been evaluated twice: before and after the first therapeutic intervention. Alpha coefficients ranged from 0.88 to 0.98. Inter-scale correlations were more substantial between the physical, role and fatigue scales. Mean score differences between groups of patients with different performance status (PS) were statistically significant for most of the sub-scales. Instead the patients with stable PS after treatment showed worse functioning in five from the nine sub-scales. For those whose PS has deteriorated, their subjective evaluation indicated deterioration only for physical, role and social functioning. In this sample of mainly ambulatory cancer patients, the instrument has high coefficients of reliability and good clinical validity. However, the results related to its sensitivity are not very consistent. It has proven able to detect clinically significant changes after the therapeutic intervention only for the patients who deteriorated over time and for three specific dimensions of QoL: physical, role and social functioning.     

Health related quality of life in stem cell transplantation: clinical and psychometric validation of the questionnaire module, High Dose Chemotherapy (HDC-19)

The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the HDC-19, a module questionnaire for assessing symptoms and problems of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) following high-dose chemotherapy (HDC). It consists of 19 questions and was developed for use in conjunction with EORTC QLQ-C30. Psychometric evaluations were performed according to guidelines recommended by the EORTC. The principal component analyses suggested that nine of the HDC-19 items could be reduced to four components (sexual functioning, future health perspectives, skin irritations and joint/muscle pain). Multitrait scaling analysis showed that most item-scale correlation coefficients met the standards of convergent (>0.40) and discriminant validity. Test-retest reliability coefficients between assessments at inclusion and admission were high, indicating that perceived health status remained virtually unchanged during this period. As expected, correlations between admission and one month after transplantation were considerably lower. The internal consistency of the multi-item scales was also satisfactory, (Cronbach's alpha 0.59-0.87). Overall, the known-groups comparisons showed smaller differences between designated groups than expected. As expected, changes in the HDC-19 mirrored changes in QLQ-C30 'global quality of life'. These results lend support to the validity of the HDC-19 as a supplementary questionnaire for assessing specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) issues relevant for SCT patients.     

Quality of life of breast cancer patients in Taiwan: validation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23

The objective of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3) and EORTC QLQ-BR23. The authors followed the guidelines of translation and pilot testing of the questionnaires. The questionnaires were given to 35 breast cancer patients under active treatment and 54 under follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital from November 2000 to October 2001. A retest was conducted one to two weeks after the first interview/form completion for the follow-up group. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the two questionnaires were moderate to high in the follow-up group. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of most scales of the two questionnaires were > or = 0.70 except that of physical functioning (0.68), cognitive functioning (0.53), and arm symptoms (0.59). Correlations of scales measuring similar dimensions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the SF-36 were moderate. Patients in the active treatment group had more serious QOL problems due to disease and treatment. Results of this study showed that the Taiwan Chinese version of the two questionnaires had good test/retest reliability, high internal consistency in most scales, and could show the expected differences between patients in active chemotherapy and follow-up group.