Validation of modified forms of the PedsQL generic core scales and cancer module scales for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer or a blood disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To validate two health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures, the PedsQL Generic Core and Cancer Module adolescent forms (13-18 years), after modification for 16-25-year-old adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer or a blood disorder.


METHODS
AYA patients and nominated proxies were recruited from three Sydney hospitals. Modified forms were administered by telephone or in clinics/wards. Analyses included correlations, factor analysis, and analysis of variance of known-groups (defined by the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale).


RESULTS
Eighty-eight patients and 79 proxies completed questionnaires. Factor structures consistent with those of the unmodified forms confirmed construct validity. Cronbach's alpha ranged 0.81-0.98. Inter-scale correlations were as hypothesized, confirming discriminant validity. Statistically significant differences between groups with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms (P < 0.05) confirmed clinical validity.


CONCLUSIONS
These modified forms provide reliable and valid measures of HRQOL in AYA with cancer or a blood disorder, suitable for clinical trials, research, and practice.
Ewing
Jane E
JE
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, Australia. jane.ewing@uts.edu.au
King
Madeleine T
MT
Smith
Narelle F
NF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult