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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 12/2014

01-12-2014 | Original Article

Which quality of life instruments are preferred by cancer patients in Japan? Comparison of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General

Authors: Kazuki Sato, Megumi Shimizu, Mitsunori Miyashita

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

We compared two health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments used for cancer patients [the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G)] to identify which instrument cancer patients most preferred.

Methods

Adult cancer patients who had received cancer treatments within the previous 2 years (n = 395) completed both surveys; participants assessed the importance, necessity, and appropriateness of each as an indicator of their quality of life.

Results

The patients significantly preferred the FACT-G over the EORTC QLQ-C30 as a more important (effect size (ES) = 0.37, P < 0.001), necessary (ES = 0.18, P < 0.001), and appropriate questionnaire (ES = 0.14, P = 0.005). The subgroups of patients with good performance status, and those who reported low levels of work disruption, significantly preferred the FACT-G more than the other. The corresponding correlation coefficients were the following: physical functioning and well-being subscale, r = 0.65; emotional functioning and well-being subscale, r = 0.60; social functioning and social/family well-being subscale, r = 0.00; and role functioning and functional well-being subscale, r = 0.41.

Conclusions

We recommend using the FACT-G if the performance status of the subject is good, e.g., in outpatient or cancer survivor surveys, based on the observed patient preferences. When performance status is not good, an instrument should be chosen after considering the differences between their scale structures and social domains and based on the availability of disease-specific modules.
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Metadata
Title
Which quality of life instruments are preferred by cancer patients in Japan? Comparison of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General
Authors
Kazuki Sato
Megumi Shimizu
Mitsunori Miyashita
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2287-z

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