晚期乳腺癌患者年龄和生存质量对其家庭照顾者生存质量的影响

目的：探讨晚期乳腺癌患者年龄及生存质量对其家庭照顾者的生存质量的影响。方法选取130例晚期乳腺癌患者及其130名家庭照顾者为研究对象,家庭照顾者完成照顾者生活质量指数-癌症表（CQOLC）问卷调查,所有的患者和家庭照顾者完成线性模拟自评量表（LASA）调查评估生活质量（QOL）,心境量表（POMS）评估心理状态。结果年龄≥65岁的晚期乳腺癌患者其照顾者心理健康、情感健康、精神健康、社会支持、总POMS分和总CQOLC分均高于年龄﹤65岁的患者照顾者,差异均具有统计学意义（P﹤0.05）。患者LASA中总的QOL评分﹥50分的晚期乳腺癌患者照顾者总QOL分、心理健康、身体健康、情感健康、精神健康、总POMS分和总CQOLC分均高于LASA中总的QOL评分≤50分的患者照顾者,差异均具有统计学意义（P﹤0.05）。结论晚期乳腺癌患者年龄≥65岁、生存质量高,其相应的家庭照顾者生存质量亦高。     

Quality of Life of Male Spouse Caregivers for Breast Cancer Patients in China

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of male spouse caregivers of breastcancer patients in China, assess their quality of life (QOL), and investigate the influencing factors. Materialsand Methods: A total of 243 breast cancer patient-spouse caregiver dyads were recruited from four hospitalsin Shanxi and Anhui province of China. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data and the Chineseversion of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was used to measure caregivers’ QOL, andthe Chinese version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to measure patient symptomseverity and interference. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the correlations between caregiver burdenand QOL. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most predictive factors influencing QOL.Results: The scores of all SF-36 scales were above 50.0, which were much lower than that of general mainlandChinese males. Mental QOL was significantly worse than physical QOL. Spouses demographic characteristics,caregiving-related variables and patient symptoms were related to spouse QOL. Caregiver burden has a negativerelationship with QOL. Conclusions: A decrease in life events and patient symptoms, as well as increase in spousesleeping time and family income, ought to improve QOL.     

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.     

Reliability and Validity of the Quality of Life –Family Version (QOL-FV) in Turkish Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

Objectives: Family caregivers (FCs) are often the primary source of social and emotional support for cancerpatients and play a major role in how well they manage their illness. The aim of this study was to create an Turkishversion of the Quality of Life - Family Version (QOL-FV) and to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sampleof FCs of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out with the FCs of 218 patients withcancer. Data were collected with a Demographic Questionnaire and the QOL-FV and The Multidimentional Scaleof Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The QOL-FV was developed by Ferrell and Grant and is composed of 4subdimensions. Linguistic validity, translation, back translation, and content validity were tested with expertopinions. Test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability were assessed. Construct validity was testedby factor analysis and with the scale of the MSPSS. Results: The family caregivers were between the ages of46-56 (32.6%), a great number of them being male (52.8%). The scale is made up of four subdimensions. Theresult of the test-retest analysis of this scale was calculated as r:0.86. As a result of the reliability analysis, sixitems were eliminated from the scale, factor analyses were fulfilled according to varimax transformation throughthe method of principal components. Four new subdimensions were restrustured at the end of the analysis. Thescale of Cronbach α coefficient was calculated as 0.90. Concurrent validity showed low correlations with theMSPSS (r=0.29). Conclusions: The QOL-FV, adapted into Turkish, was found to have sufficient reliability andvalidity.     

Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in a Developing Nation

Background: Quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of cancer patients is usually affected due to increase in caregiver burden. Their QOL has not garnered much attention by many including the health professionals and community. This study aims to explore the QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients in a multi-ethnic country in Asia and to investigate its associate factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study where family caregivers and patients who were diagnosed of cancers within 12 months were recruited. QOL of caregivers were measured using The Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC). Psychological distress was measured using Hospital anxiety and depressive scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the related factors of QOL of caregivers. Results: A total of 458 patients/caregiver pairs were included. Symptoms of anxiety and depression reported by caregivers were 24.9% and 24.2% respectively. Caregivers of patients with solid tumors have better CQOLC score compared to those who cared for patients with hematological cancers (91.25 vs 86.75). Caregivers of non-Malay ethnicity, those caring for patients with advanced stage cancer and with hematological cancers had significantly poorer QOL. QOL of caregivers are also significantly affected when patients demonstrated anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: This study provides detailed evaluation of the QOL of caregivers of cancer patients in Malaysia. The significant psychological distress and low caregiver QOL indicate the urgent need for comprehensive supports for caregivers with cancer patients, especially those caring for patients with haematological cancers.     

Long-term quality of life after breast cancer: a French registry-based controlled study

Population-based studies on quality of life (QOL) of long-term breast cancer survivors are quite recent and insufficient attention has been paid to the effect of time since diagnosis. We compared long-term QOL of population-based breast cancer survivors 5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis with that of healthy controls. Breast cancer survivors were randomly selected from three population-based cancer registries (Bas-Rhin, Calvados and Doubs, France) along with healthy controls, stratified for age and place of residence, randomly selected from electoral rolls. Participants completed five self-administered questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and a life conditions questionnaire. An analysis of variance was used to compare QOL scores of breast cancer survivors by period (5, 10, or 15 years) of diagnosis with those of controls, adjusted for sociodemographic data and comorbidities. Six hundred and fifty-two cases and 1,188 controls participated in the study. For many QOL scales, scores were significantly different between cancer survivors and controls. A clinically significant difference was evidenced for the fatigue scales, the SF36 physical functioning, role-physical, and role-emotional scales, with more favorable results for controls. Differences decreased with time and 15-year cancer survivors were generally not different from controls. Scores were particularly influenced by age and mean household income. More efforts should be made, specifically during the first 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, to help women with breast cancer to overcome their impairment in QOL.     

Psychometric Properties of the Thai Version of Supportive Care Needs Survey-Partners and Caregivers (T- SCNS-P&C) for Cholangiocarcinoma Caregivers

Background: Unmet needs of cancer patients and caregivers are also closely linked with patients and their family well-being. Identifying and focusing on caregivers’ unmet need have been recommended to reduce their burden and improve their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers (T-SCNS-P&C) among Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) caregivers. Methods: The T-SCNS-P&C was developed using standardized translation methodology. A total of 231 CCA caregivers completed the T- SCNS-P&C. The internal consistency of the scale was examined with Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was analyzed using Pearson correlations coefficient with the physical effects, stage, anxiety and depression, age, and education level. To assess the factorial validity of the T-SCNS-P&C, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. Results: The T- SCNS-P&C indicated good readability and high content validity for use as an assessment tool among Thai CCA caregivers. All Cronbach’s α coefficients were above the minimum acceptable criterion of ≥0.70. For construct validity, higher physical effect scores and higher anxiety and depression scores, as well as poorer QOL scores and younger caregivers, were significantly positively associated with higher levels of unmet needs. CFA indicated that the four factor structure of the T-SCNS-P&C was a good fit to the data. Conclusion: The T-SCNS-P&C demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity for assessing unmet needs among CCA caregivers in Thailand. Using this simple assessment to target the individual needs of these caregivers can help healthcare professionals providing effective personalized care.     

The caregiver reaction assessment: psychometrics, and temporal stability in primary caregivers of Norwegian cancer patients in late palliative phase

BACKGROUND: Limited research has been done on the situation of primary caregivers (PCs) to patients staying at home with cancer in the palliative phase. This study uses the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) to examine PCs caregiver burden and well-being. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 85 PCs examined at baseline, among them 42 were re-examined four months later. We explored the psychometric properties of the CRA at baseline, and introduced a CRA sum score. The CRA sum score was correlated with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the CRA dimensions varied between alpha 0.57 and 0.85, and the factor structure was in line with earlier studies. The CRA sum score correlated significantly with all mental dimensions on the SF-36 and the HADS. At baseline the PCs showed significantly worse scores except for family support when compared to newly diagnosed cancer patients. The mean scores on the CRA dimensions as well as the total score did not change significantly from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSION: We have confirmed the psychometric properties of the CRA, which seems to be an appropriate instrument for assessment the PCs caregiver situation.     

Development of Japanese version of the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index: a pilot validation study

Methods: The Japanese version (version 1.2) of the UCLA PCI was developed through a process of translation, back-translation, and refinement after interviewing patients. Reliability and validity were examined for 125 Japanese patients with localized prostate cancer. The patients simultaneously responded to the Japanese version of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and five representative questions from the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results: Internal consistency reliability was very high for both urinary and sexual function scales, and lower for bowel function. The test-retest reliability of the urinary and sexual function scales and the urinary bother scales was stable, while that of the bowel function and bother scales was relatively unstable. Sexual function scores did not correlate highly with sexual bother scores. Furthermore, poor sexual function and bother had little association with the SF-36 scores. Missing data as to urinary and bowel function/bother scales were minimal (0.8%–2.4%), while those for sexual function and bother were relatively high (4.8%–11.2%). Conclusions: The results of this pilot study, together with the previous American study, suggest ethnic or cultural difference in how impaired sexual function is integrated into overall QOL. A future cross-cultural comparative study using the UCLA PCI and SF-36 will provide useful information about the influence of cultural or ethnic differences on health-related QOL in prostate cancer patients. Received: February 4, 2002 / Accepted: July 12, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Dr. Christopher Holms for back-translation of the Japanese version of the UCLA PCI. This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor of Japan (11–10). Correspondence to:Y. Kakehi     

Burden,emotional distress and quality of life among informal caregivers of lung cancer patients: An exploratory study

This study was conducted to explore the interrelationships among caregiver burden, emotional status and quality of life (QoL) in caregivers of lung cancer patients, and to identify whether caregiver burden and health status are associated with patient emotional status and QoL. Forty‐three dyads of lung cancer patients and their caregivers were included for analysis. Caregiver‐reported outcomes were measured by Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), Caregivers Quality of Life Index‐Cancer (CQOLC) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while patient‐reported outcomes were collected by HADS and Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS). The majority of the CBS and CQOLC scores were significantly higher in anxious and depressed caregivers than non‐anxious and non‐depressed caregivers (p < .01 or .05). Caregivers of depressed patients experienced significantly greater emotional distress than those of non‐depressed patients (p < .01). Significantly positive associations were identified among most of the CBS, CQOLC and caregiver HADS scores. Patient LCSS scores were positively correlated with the CBS and caregiver HADS scores, and patient HADS scores were also positively related to caregiver HADS scores. The close interrelationships between caregiver and patient health outcomes provide evidence that lung cancer patients and their caregivers should be viewed as a unit in future supportive service models.     

Assessing pre-death grief in cancer caregivers using the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI)

The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI) was developed and initially validated with caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease, and subsequently evaluated with caregivers of persons with brain injury. The present study examined MM-CGI psychometric and validity properties in 75 caregivers of persons with cancer. As with previous studies, high internal consistency reliability of MM-CGI Total Grief and subscale scores (Personal Sacrifice and Burden, Heartfelt Sadness and Longing, and Worry and Felt Isolation) was demonstrated. Construct validity of the subscale scores was supported by differential associations with other caregiver measures of depression, strain, well-being, and family support. Based on these preliminary results, the MM-CGI appears useful for assessing pre-death grief in caregivers of persons with cancer.     

Measuring quality of life in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review of reliable and valid instruments available in Japan

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the availability and psychometric properties of instruments to measure quality of life (QOL) in clinical research on Japanese patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this systematic review is to find reliable and valid instruments available in Japan, and to summarize their characteristics. METHODS: Instruments available in Japan were found through a systematic search of the literature. Each instrument identified was evaluated for item development, reliability, validity, interpretability and utility. RESULTS: Six questionnaires to measure health-related QOL (the QOL-ACD, the EORTC QLQ-C30, the EORTC QLQ-BR23, the FACT-B, the SF-36, the WHO/QOL-26) and five scales to quantify the psychological burden (the STAI, the POMS, the SDS, the HADS, the GHQ), for which reliability and validity have been documented, are available in Japanese. All instruments were developed in foreign countries except for the QOL-ACD. Two of the QOL questionnaires were specific to breast cancer (the EORTC QLQ-BR23, the FACT-B). Though the measurements can be interpreted in some manner, the meaning of change scores over time has been documented for only three instruments (the EORTC QLQ-C30, the FACT-B, and the GHQ). CONCLUSIONS: The review provides grounds for designing and implementing quantitative research on QOL of breast cancer patients in Japan. Methodological challenges, however, continue, particularly for validating instruments with regard to various study populations of Japanese people and demonstrating the clinical importance of change scores.     

Psychometric Properties of the Thai Version of Supportive Care Needs Survey-Partners and Caregivers (T- SCNS-P&C) for Cholangiocarcinoma Caregivers

Background:Unmet needs of cancer patients and caregivers are also closely linked with patients and their family well-being. Identifying and focusing on caregivers’ unmet need have been recommended to reduce their burden and improve their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers (T-SCNS-P&C) among Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) caregivers. Methods:The T-SCNS-P&C was developed using standardized translation methodology. A total of 231 CCA caregivers completed the T- SCNS-P&C. The internal consistency of the scale was examined with Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was analyzed using Pearson correlations coefficient with the physical effects, stage, anxiety and depression, age, and education level. To assess the factorial validity of the T-SCNS-P&C, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. Results:The T- SCNS-P&C indicated good readability and high content validity for use as an assessment tool among Thai CCA caregivers. All Cronbach’s α coefficients were above the minimum acceptable criterion of ≥0.70. For construct validity, higher physical effect scores and higher anxiety and depression scores, as well as poorer QOL scores and younger caregivers, were significantly positively associated with higher levels of unmet needs. CFA indicated that the four factor structure of the T-SCNS-P&C was a good fit to the data.Conclusion: The T-SCNS-P&C demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity for assessing unmet needs among CCA caregivers in Thailand. Using this simple assessment to target the individual needs of these caregivers can help healthcare professionals providing effective personalized care.Key Words: Caregivers, Thai, psychometric validation, supportive care, unmet needs     

鼻咽癌患者中SF-36量表的信度和效度的研究

目的：评价简明健康调查量表（36-items short form health survey,SF-36）在鼻咽癌患者生存质量应用中的信度和效度。方法：2007年1月21日～2月7日,统一受训的调查员使用SF-36对526例确诊的鼻咽癌患者进行自评量表式调查,并采用相关分析、信度分析和因子分析等统计方法分析量表的信度和效度。结果：SF-36具有较好的分半信度和内部信度;除活力（VT）和社会功能（SF）外（信度系数≥O．6）,各领域的内部信度系数均≥0．7。每务目跟相关领域的相关系数均〉0．53,而且高于该条目与其他领域的相关系数,说明SF36有良好的内容效度和区分效度。所有条目提取的7个主成分分布代表了各个领域,累计贡献达61．18％;8个领域得分提取2个公共因子,解释58．90％的变异。因子分析产生的结果与量表的理论结构假设基本一致。结论：SF-36有较好的信度和效度,可用于评价鼻咽癌患者的生存质量。     

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the FACT-L for measuring quality of life in patients with lung cancer

A Simplified Chinese version of the FACT-L was evaluated using responses from 181 patients with lung cancer in China by assessing the construct, discriminative and criterion-related validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness as measured by score changes of the scales. Correlation and factor analysis among domains and items showed good construct validity, correlation analysis of domain scores between FACT-L and Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Lung cancer (QLICP-LU) displayed good criterion-related validity, and comparison of two age groups demonstrated discriminative validity. Test-retest reliability and Internal consistency coefficients for all domains were greater than 0.75 with the exception of the domain of additional concerns (alpha=0.56). Score changes over time were statistically significant in the overall scale and all domains: standardized response mean (SRM) for physical well-being is 1.56, social/ family well-being 0.70, emotional well-being 0.93, and functioning well-being 1.51. Therefore, the Simplified Chinese version of FACT-L can be used to measure quality of life (QOL) for Chinese patients with lung cancer with good validity, reliability, and responsiveness.     

Prospective assessment of the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Melanoma questionnaire

BACKGROUND: The authors previously developed a melanoma-specific module for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-Melanoma), a tool for the assessment of quality of life (QOL) in patients with melanoma. The reliability and validity of the FACT-Melanoma was examined in this study. METHODS: Patients with melanoma (N = 273; stages I-IV) completed a battery of questionnaires at the time of enrollment. The validity of the instrument was examined by comparing FACT-Melanoma scores with performance status, disease stage, treatment status, and other scales, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Melanoma Module, the Profile of Mood States, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Patients were assessed after 1 week to assess test-retest reliability and at 3 months to determine the sensitivity of the instrument to change in performance status. RESULTS: The internal consistency and test-retest reliability (r) of the melanoma subscale (Cronbach alpha = .85; r = .81) and the total FACT-Melanoma (alpha = .95; r = .90) were excellent. Overall, the scales were correlated with other measures, as anticipated. Total FACT-Melanoma scores, along with scores for physical well-being, emotional well-being, functional well-being, and melanoma-specific scales, were lower for patients with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma, poor performance status, and patients who were receiving active treatment. The FACT-Melanoma total score and the score for physical well-being were sensitive to changes in performance status (P = .0012 and P = .004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicated that the FACT-Melanoma questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for patients with melanoma that can be used for the assessment of QOL in clinical trials.     

Social Support and Quality of Life in Turkish Patients with Gynecologic Cancer

The aim of this study was to determine the level of social support and quality of life in Turkish patients withgynecologic cancer using a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 108 patients admitted to the gynecologiconcology clinic at a university hospital from September 2011 to January 2012 were included. Data werecollected using patient information forms, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)and The Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors Instrument (QOL-CS). Average age was 54.5±10.8 years and it wasdetermined that 65.7% of patients had ovarian cancer and 19.4% had cervical cancer. The total QOL-CS meanscore was 5.59±1.10. Average score of total MSPSS was found to be 69.7±14.64. Comparing socio-demographicand clinical characteristics of patients and average scores of QOL-CS and MSPSS, it was found that there wasnot a statisticaly significant corelation (p>0.05). Statistically significant relation was found between the averagescores of QOL-CS and MSPSS. These results showed that quality of life was moderate and perceived socialsupport was high in Turkish patients with gynecologic cancer.     

Do age and quality of life of patients with cancer influence quality of life of the caregiver?

ObjectiveThere are significant burdens associated with providing care for loved ones with cancer. However, caregiver quality of life (QOL) is often overlooked. With the increasing number of older adults with cancer, it is important to determine whether a patient's age and QOL have any association with the caregiver's QOL. The objective of our study was to describe caregiver QOL and explore whether patient age and other psychosocial factors impact caregiver QOL.Materials and MethodsBaseline information from patients with advanced cancer undergoing radiation and their caregivers, who were enrolled in a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a structured, multidisciplinary QOL intervention, was analyzed for this study. Caregivers completed the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) Scale. Both patients and caregivers completed the Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) to measure QOL, and Profile of Mood States (POMS) to measure mood states.ResultsOverall, 131 patient–caregiver pairs participated in the study. At baseline, caregivers of older adults (≥ 65 years) had higher mental (P = 0.01), emotional (P = 0.003), spiritual (P < 0.01), and social support (P = 0.03) LASA QOL scores. Caregivers of older adults also had higher baseline QOL (CQOLC, P = 0.003) and mood (POMS, P = 0.04) than caregivers of younger adults. Caregivers of patients with higher LASA QOL scores had higher overall (P = 0.02), mental (P = 0.006), physical (P = 0.02), emotional (P = 0.002), and spiritual LASA QOL scores (P = 0.047).ConclusionsCaregivers of older adults with advanced cancer demonstrated better QOL and fewer mood disturbances compared to caregivers of younger patients. When patients have good QOL, caregivers also had good QOL.     

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.