Assessment of quality of life in a multicultural cancer patient population.
Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly assessed in cancer patients. In this article, the authors examined the psychometric performance of a commonly used QOL questionnaire, the Quality of Life Questionnaire--Cancer 30 (QLQ-C30; N. K. Aaronson et al., 1993), in multiethnic cancer patients. Content validation studies in patients and clinicians identified possible new items. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis supported equivalent structure across ethnic groups (Caucasians and Asian/Pacific Islanders [APIs]). A higher order QOL factor appeared to directly affect functioning scales and symptom count. Exploratory factor analysis examined effects of new items. Ten factors were extracted, 6 consistent with the original instrument and 4 reflecting potentially new aspects of QOL: Positive Social Support, Coping, Existential Well-Being, and Sexuality/Intimacy. The QLQ-C30 appears appropriate for use in API cancer patients. Further work needs to ensure that it includes all important domains.
Gotay
Carolyn Cook
CC
Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i, University of Hawai'i at Mãnoa, 1236 Lauhala Street, Suite 406, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813, USA. cgotay@crch.hawaii.edu
Blaine
Daniel
D
Haynes
Stephen N
SN
Holup
Joan
J
Pagano
Ian S
IS
D000368:Aged; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires