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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Development and validation of quality of life scale of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: the QOL-NPC (version 2)

Authors: Yong Su, Chuan-wei Mo, Wan-qin Cheng, Lei Wang, Qian Xu, Zu-chun Wu, Zhe-li Wu, Li-zhi Liu, Xin-lin Chen

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

The aim was to develop and validate the quality of life scale for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, the QOL-NPC (version 2), a specific instrument to measure quality of life for NPC patients.

Methods

The QOL-NPC was developed and validated according to standard procedures. The patients were assessed using the QOL-NPC, FACT-G, and FACT-H&N. Classical test theory was used to evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the QOL-NPC.

Results

A total of 487 patients (97.4 %) completed the questionnaire. The QOL-NPC comprised four domains, as follows: physical function (eight items); psychological function (five items); social function (five items); and side effects (eight items). All of the items had a lower proportion of missing data. Cronbach's alpha values of the domains ranged from 0.72 to 0.84. The split-half reliability coefficients ranged from 0.77 to 0.84. All of the intra-class correlation coefficients were > 0.8. The normed fit index, non-normed fit index, and comparative fit index were >0.89. The root mean square error of approximation was 0.097, with a 90 % confidence interval (0.093, 0.100). The domain scores of the QOL-NPC were significantly correlated with the FACT-G and FACT-H&N (P < 0.05). All of the domain scores of patients using different amounts of radiotherapy were significantly different (P < 0.001). All domain scores decreased at the completion of radiotherapy, with effect sizes ranging from −0.82 to −0.22.

Conclusions

The QOL-NPC is valid for measuring QOL with good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. The QOL-NPC is recommended to measure the QOL for Chinese NPC patients.
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Metadata
Title
Development and validation of quality of life scale of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: the QOL-NPC (version 2)
Authors
Yong Su
Chuan-wei Mo
Wan-qin Cheng
Lei Wang
Qian Xu
Zu-chun Wu
Zhe-li Wu
Li-zhi Liu
Xin-lin Chen
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-016-0480-0

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