Validation of the Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire for the evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients on palliative care.
BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important outcome in oncology, particularly in the palliative care setting. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire is a brief version of QLQ-C30. Our aim is to validate the Mexican-Spanish version of the QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire to measure HRQL in patients with terminal cancer.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with biopsy proven cancer were included in the study. All were treated in a cancer center in Mexico and were referred for palliative care because of far-advanced, recurrent or metastatic cancer. QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire was applied in the first visit to the Unit and palliative care was offered to all patients depending on their specific necessities.


RESULTS
Eighty-three patients were enrolled in this study (mean age, 61.2 years). Compliance rates were high; all patients completed to the questionnaire in <20 min and the instrument was well-received. Five missing values in five different items were found. QLQ-C15 scales distinguished between other clinically distinct groups of patients. Multi-trait scaling analysis demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach's α coefficients were >0.7 in three of four multi-item scales (0.67 in the fourth). Test-retest scores were consistent in some scales, while improve or worsen in others. Better Global health, Dyspnea, Insomnia, Fatigue and Appetite scales were associated with longer survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire is reliable and valid for HRQL measurement in patients with terminal cancer, and is appropriate for use in clinical trials of Mexican patients.
Suárez-del-Real
Yolanda
Y
Unidad de Soporte, Paliación y Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico.
Allende-Pérez
Silvia
S
Alférez-Mancera
Araceli
A
Rodríguez
Rosa Bertha
RB
Jiménez-Toxtle
Silvia
S
Mohar
Alejandro
A
Oñate-Ocaña
Luis F
LF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology; D014177:Translations; D055815:Young Adult