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Content validity of the EORTC quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30 for use in cancer
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 05:34 authored by Kim Cocks, Jane R Wells, Colin Johnson, Heike Schmidt, Michael Koller, Simone Oerlemans, Galina Velikova, Monica Pinto, Krzysztof A Tomaszewski, Neil K Aaronson, Elizabeth Exall, Chelsea Finbow, Deborah Fitzsimmons, Laura Grant, Mogens Groenvold, Chloe Tolley, Sally WheelwrightSally Wheelwright, Andrew BottomleyAim The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) is among the most widely used patient-reported outcome measures in cancer research and practice. It was developed prior to guidance that content should be established directly from patients to confirm it measures concepts of interest and is appropriate and comprehensive for the intended population. This study evaluated the content validity of the QLQ-C30 for use with cancer patients. Methods Adults undergoing cancer treatment in Europe and the USA participated in open-ended concept elicitation interviews regarding their functional health, symptoms, side-effects and impacts on health-related quality of life. Thematic analysis was conducted, and similarities across cancer types, disease stages and countries or languages were explored. Results Interviews with 113 patients with cancer (85 European, 28 USA) including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and other cancers were conducted between 2016 and 2020. Conceptual saturation was achieved. The most frequently reported concepts were included in the QLQ-C30 conceptual framework. QLQ-C30 items were widely understood across language versions and were relevant to patients across cancer types and disease stages. While several new concepts were elicited such as difficulty climbing steps or stairs, weight loss, skin problems and numbness, many were not widely experienced and/or could be considered sub-concepts of existing concepts. Conclusions The QLQ-C30 demonstrates good evidence of content validity for the assessment of functional health, symptom burden and health-related quality of life in patients with localised-to-advanced cancer.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
European Journal of CancerISSN
0959-8049Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
178Page range
128-138Department affiliated with
- Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-11-29First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-11-29First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-11-28Usage metrics
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