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. 2023 Jan:178:128-138.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.10.026. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

Content validity of the EORTC quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30 for use in cancer

Kim Cocks  1 , Jane R Wells  2 , Colin Johnson  3 , Heike Schmidt  4 , Michael Koller  5 , Simone Oerlemans  6 , Galina Velikova  7 , Monica Pinto  8 , Krzysztof A Tomaszewski  9 , Neil K Aaronson  10 , Elizabeth Exall  2 , Chelsea Finbow  2 , Deborah Fitzsimmons  11 , Laura Grant  12 , Mogens Groenvold  13 , Chloe Tolley  12 , Sally Wheelwright  14 , Andrew Bottomley  15 ; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group
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Free article

Content validity of the EORTC quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30 for use in cancer

Kim Cocks et al. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Jan.
Free article

Abstract

Aim: 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.

Keywords: Interviews; Neoplasms; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The following authors declare no competing interests: Andrew Bottomley, Neil K Aaronson, Deborah Fitzsimmons, Mogens Groenvold, and Sally Wheelwright. Colin Johnson, Krzysztof Tomaszewski, Michael Koller, Monica Pinto, Simone Oerlemans, and Heike Schmidt's respective institutions were provided funding from the EORTC Quality of Life Group to conduct the research described in this manuscript. Jane R Wells, Chelsea Finbow, Elizabeth Exall, Chloe Tolley, and Laura Grant are or were at the time of the study employees of Adelphi Values Ltd. Adelphi Values Ltd was provided a grant from the EORTC Quality of Life Group to conduct the research described in this manuscript and to develop this manuscript. Adelphi Values Ltd provides consultancy for a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Kim Cocks is an employee of Adelphi Values Ltd. However, the role of Principal Investigator on this study was not funded through the EORTC Quality of Life Group grant. Kim Cocks has received consulting fees from Endomag Ltd. Galina Velikova's institution was provided funding from the EORTC Quality of Life Group to conduct the research described in this manuscript and other research. Galina Velikova also declares that her institution has grants/contracts with Breast Cancer Now, Pfizer, and IQVIA. Galina Velikova discloses relationships with Novartis, Eisai, Seattle Genetics, Sanofi Advisory Board, and Roche Ester Steering Committee.

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