Validation of the Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire for the evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients on palliative care.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important outcome in oncology, particularly in the palliative care setting. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire is a brief version of QLQ-C30. Our aim is to validate the Mexican-Spanish version of the QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire to measure HRQL in patients with terminal cancer. Consecutive patients with biopsy proven cancer were included in the study. All were treated in a cancer center in Mexico and were referred for palliative care because of far-advanced, recurrent or metastatic cancer. QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire was applied in the first visit to the Unit and palliative care was offered to all patients depending on their specific necessities. Eighty-three patients were enrolled in this study (mean age, 61.2 years). Compliance rates were high; all patients completed to the questionnaire in <20 min and the instrument was well-received. Five missing values in five different items were found. QLQ-C15 scales distinguished between other clinically distinct groups of patients. Multi-trait scaling analysis demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach's α coefficients were >0.7 in three of four multi-item scales (0.67 in the fourth). Test-retest scores were consistent in some scales, while improve or worsen in others. Better Global health, Dyspnea, Insomnia, Fatigue and Appetite scales were associated with longer survival. The Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire is reliable and valid for HRQL measurement in patients with terminal cancer, and is appropriate for use in clinical trials of Mexican patients.

Suárez-del-Real Y ，Allende-Pérez S ，Alférez-Mancera A ，Rodríguez RB ，Jiménez-Toxtle S ，Mohar A ，Oñate-Ocaña LF ... -  《-》

Validation of the Mexican Spanish version of the EORTC C30 and STO22 questionnaires for the evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with gastric cancer.

Oñate-Ocaña LF ，Alcántara-Pilar A ，Vilar-Compte D ，García-Hubard G ，Rojas-Castillo E ，Alvarado-Aguilar S ，Carrillo JF ，Blazeby JM ，Aiello-Crocifoglio V ... -  《-》

Health-related quality of life in patients with lung cancer: validation of the Mexican-Spanish version and association with prognosis of the EORTC QLQ-LC13 questionnaire.

Lung cancer (LC) is the first cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a fundamental outcome for evaluating treatment results. Our objective was to validate the Mexican-Spanish versions of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality-of-Life QLQ-LC13 disease-specific questionnaire module in Mexican patients with LC; and to explore the possible prognostic role of HRQL data. Translation procedures followed EORTC guidelines. Both instruments were completed by patients with LC. Tests for reliability and validity were performed. A subset of patients was administered HRQL evaluations before and after chemotherapy. HRQL was associated with prognosis in chemotherapy-naïve patients. The protocol was approved by the Institute's Ethics Committee. One hundred fifty three patients (mean age, 60.3 years; 84 females and 69 males) completed both questionnaires. Compliance rates were high, and the questionnaires were well accepted. Nine of 10 multi-item scales of both questionnaires presented Cronbach's alpha coefficients > 0.7. Multi-trait scaling analysis demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Patients with better Karnofsky or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status reported better functional HRQL scores. Different scales in the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13 questionnaires were accurately related with clinical characteristics. Functional as well as disease-symptom scales improved after chemotherapy, but treatment side-effects scales worsened in test-retest analysis. Better role functioning and absence of thoracic pain scales were associated with longer overall survival (OS) (p = 0.009 and p = 0.035, respectively). The Mexican-Spanish versions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13 questionnaires are reliable and valid for HRQL measurement in Mexican patients with LC and can be used in clinical trials.

Arrieta Ó ，Núñez-Valencia C ，Reynoso-Erazo L ，Alvarado S ，Flores-Estrada D ，Angulo LP ，Oñate-Ocaña LF ... -  《-》

Assessment of change of quality of life in terminally ill patients under cancer pain management using the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) in a Korean sample.

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is composed of 5 multi-item function scales and 9 symptom scales. The Korean EORTC QLQ-C30 was drawn up by the EORTC itself. However, its validity and reliability in the palliative care has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practicality, reliability, and validity of the Korean EORTC QLQ-C30 in terminally ill patients under cancer pain management. The study was conducted from March 2003 to February 2004. The main sample consisted of 159 patients with cancer-related pain during the past week. To assess the severity and impact of pain, the patients completed the Korean version of the Brief Pain Inventory. We enrolled the patients with substantial pain who rated their worst pain as 5 or higher. The participants reported their worst pain of the previous week using the Brief Pain Inventory and were given the EORTC QLQ-C30 to fill out. Two weeks later, the patients were asked to complete the questionnaire a second time while they were on cancer pain management. The questionnaire was well accepted among terminally ill cancer patients. The scale reliability was very good [Cronbach's alpha: 0.80-0.91 (before treatment), 0.81-0.92 (on treatment)], except for cognitive function. In the initial measure of the QLQ-C30 for each patient, clinical validity was found for all the functional scales using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale. Ninety-eight patients had improved cancer pain severity, 17 patients had deteriorated cancer pain, and 29 patients had unchanged pain. The differences in QLQ-C30 scores were compared between the improved and nonimproved cancer pain group. Statistically significant between-group differences over time were observed for the scales of global quality of life, fatigue, pain, nausea, and sleep disturbance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient to judge internal consistency was very good except for cognitive functioning. The Korean QLQ-C30 has a strong validity in functional scales. Global quality of life, pain, fatigue, nausea, and sleep disturbance were improved after cancer pain management. These results support that the QLQ-C30 is a reliable and valid measure of quality of life in Korean cancer patients receiving cancer pain management. We consider that the QLQ-C30 can be used effectively in the palliative care settings in order to assess the effects of cancer pain management on quality of life of advanced-stage cancer patients.

Park KU 《-》

Quality of life in patients with brain metastases using the EORTC QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL.

The 20-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brain Neoplasm (QLQ-BN20) is a validated quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire for patients with primary brain tumors. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 15 Palliative (QLQ-C15-PAL) core palliative questionnaire is a 15-item version of the core 30-item QLQ-C30 and was developed to decrease the burden on patients with advanced cancer. The combination of the QLQ-BN20 and QLQ-C30 to assess QOL may be too burdensome for patients. The primary aim of this study was to assess QOL in patients before and after treatment for brain metastases using the QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL, a version of the QLQ-BN20 questionnaire with 2 additional questions assessing cognitive functioning that were not addressed in the QLQ-C15-PAL. Patients with brain metastases completed the QLQ-C15-PAL and QLQ-BN20+2 questionnaires to assess QOL before and 1 month after radiation. Linear regression analysis was used to assess changes in QOL scores over time, as well as to explore associations between the QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL scales, patient demographics, and clinical variables. Spearman correlation assessed associations between the QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL scales. Among 108 patients, the majority (55%) received whole-brain radiotherapy only, with 65% of patients completing follow-up at 1 month after treatment. The most prominent symptoms at baseline were future uncertainty (QLQ-BN20+2) and fatigue (QLQ-C15-PAL). After treatment, significant improvement was seen for the QLQ-C15-PAL insomnia scale, as well as the QLQ-BN20+2 scales of future uncertainty, visual disorder, and concentration difficulty. Baseline Karnofsky Performance Status was negatively correlated to QLQ-BN20+2 motor dysfunction but positively related to QLQ-C15-PAL physical functioning and QLQ-BN20+2 cognitive functioning at baseline and follow-up. QLQ-BN20+2 scales of future uncertainty and motor dysfunction correlated with the most QLQ-C15-PAL scales, including overall QOL (negative association) at baseline and follow-up. After radiation, the questionnaires showed maintenance of QOL and improvement of QOL scores such as future uncertainty, which featured prominently in this patient population. It is proposed that the 37-item QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL, as opposed to the 50-item QLQ-BN20 and QLQ-C30, may be used together as a universal QOL assessment tool in this setting.

Caissie A ，Nguyen J ，Chen E ，Zhang L ，Sahgal A ，Clemons M ，Kerba M ，Arnalot PF ，Danjoux C ，Tsao M ，Barnes E ，Holden L ，Danielson B ，Chow E ... -  《-》