Validation of the French version of the colorectal-specific quality-of-life questionnaires EORTC QLQ-CR38 and FACT-C.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the French version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment (EORTC) quality-of-life colorectal questionnaire (QLQ-CR38) and the functional assessment of cancer therapy-colorectal version 4 (FACT-C).


METHODS
This prospective study included 209 patients with colorectal cancer: 71 undergoing chemotherapy, 56 radiation, 15 surgery, and 67 survivors. Patients first completed in random order the FACT-C and the EORTC QLQ-CR38 and were asked if they had any preference for either questionnaire. The timing of administration of instruments differed according to patients' treatment to better assess psychometric properties.


RESULTS
The FACT-C showed good acceptability, good reproducibility and excellent internal consistency. The QLQ-CR38 had lower internal consistency. Patients did not express a preference for one survey over another.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the value of the FACT-C and suggests some limits of the QLQ-CR38 for patients with colorectal cancer.
Rotonda
Christine
C
Nancy-University, EA 4003, 54000 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. christine.rotonda@hotmail.fr
Conroy
T
T
Mercier
M
M
Bonnetain
F
F
Uwer
L
L
Miny
J
J
Montcuquet
P
P
Léonard
I
I
Adenis
A
A
Breysacher
G
G
Guillemin
F
F
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires