An international study to revise the EORTC questionnaire for assessing quality of life in lung cancer patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The EORTC QLQ-LC13 was the first module to be used in conjunction with the core questionnaire, the QLQ-C30. Since the publication of the LC13 in 1994, major advances have occurred in the treatment of lung cancer. Given this, an update review of the EORTC QLQ-LC13 was undertaken.METHODS: The study followed Phases 1 to 3 of the EORTC Module Development Guidelines. Phase 1 generated relevant quality of life issues using a mix of sources including the involvement of 108 lung cancer patients. Phase 2 transformed issues into questionnaire items. In an international multi-center study (Phase 3), patients completed both the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the 48-item provisional lung cancer module generated in Phases 1 and 2. Patients rated each of the items regarding relevance, comprehensibility, and acceptance. Patient ratings were assessed against a set of pre-specified statistical criteria. Descriptive statistics and basic psychometric analyses were performed.RESULTS: The Phase 3 study enrolled 200 patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer from 12 centers in 9 countries (Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Israel, Spain, Norway, Poland, Taiwan, and the UK). Mean age was 64 years (39 − 91), 59% of the patients were male, 82% had NSCLC, and 56% were treated with palliative intent. 29 of the 48 questions met the criteria for inclusion.CONCLUSIONS: The resulting module with 29 questions, thus currently named EORTC QLQ-LC29, retained 12 of the 13 original items, supplemented with 17 items that primarily assess treatment side effects of traditional and newer therapies.

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