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Further evaluation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 psychometric properties in a large Brazilian cancer patient cohort as a function of their educational status

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Abstract

Purpose

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is considered a valid instrument for use in Brazil. However, the previous Brazilian validation study included only 30 lung cancer patients and only measured test-retest reliability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in a sample of cancer patients at different educational levels who completed the instrument administered by an interviewer.

Methods

Data from six prospective studies conducted by the same group of researchers were combined in this study (N = 986).

Results

Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, all values of which were >0.7, with the exception of cognitive functioning, social functioning, and nausea and vomiting (α = 0.57, α = 0.69, and α = 0.68, respectively). In multi-trait scaling analysis, convergent and divergent validity were considered adequate (validity indices were 91.6 and 97.4 %). In general, moderate to strong correlations were found between the subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and its respective dimensions from the WHOQOL-bref, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) instruments. In addition, the EORTC QLQ-C30 was able to differentiate groups of patients with distinct performance statuses and types of treatment (known-group validation). Statistical analyses were also performed on educational status, yielding similar results.

Conclusions

Detailed psychometric property data using the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Brazil are added by this study. In addition, we demonstrated that this instrument is in general reliable and valid regardless of the patient educational level.

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Abbreviations

HRQoL:

health-related quality of life

ESAS:

Edmonton Symptom Assessment System

HADS:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

BSIqol:

Barretos Short Instrument for assessment of Quality of Life

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Camila Britto Faria, Camila de Souza Crovador, and Raquel Hass for their assistance in data collection.

Conflict of interest

The authors have full control over the primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested. In addition, they declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva

  2. Learning and Research Institute, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva, Estela Cristina Carneseca & Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva

  3. Quality of Life Research Group (CPQual), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva, Estela Cristina Carneseca, Eliane Marçon Barroso, Mayara Goulart de Camargos, Ana Camila Callado Alfano, Fernanda Capella Rugno & Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva

  4. Clinical Research Unit, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana Camila Callado Alfano

  5. Departamento de Oncologia Clínica, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, Barretos, 14784-400, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva

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  1. Carlos Eduardo Paiva
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Correspondence to Carlos Eduardo Paiva.

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Paiva, C.E., Carneseca, E.C., Barroso, E.M. et al. Further evaluation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 psychometric properties in a large Brazilian cancer patient cohort as a function of their educational status. Support Care Cancer 22, 2151–2160 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2206-3

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