title: Responsiveness of EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR38 and FACT-C quality of life questionnaires in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness of the European Organization for Research and Treatment (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires (QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR38) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-colorectal version 4 questionnaire (FACT-C).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 127 patients with colorectal cancer: 71 undergoing chemotherapy and 56 radiation therapy. Responsiveness statistics included the Standardized Response Mean (SRM) and the Effect Size (ES). The patient's overall assessment of his/her change in state of health status was the reference criterion to evaluate the responsiveness of the QoL questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  34 patients perceived their health as stable and 17 as improved between the first and the fourth courses of chemotherapy. 21 patients perceived their health as stable and 22 as improved between before and the last week of radiotherapy.The responsiveness of the 3 questionnaires differed according to treatments. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was more responsive in patients receiving chemotherapy, particulary functional scales (SRM > 0.55). The QLQ-CR38 and the FACT-C questionnaires provided little clinically relevant information during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire appears to be more responsive in patients receiving chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Centre Alexis Vautrin, Department of Medical Oncology, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Uwer
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rotonda
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guillemin
authors.forename: Joëlle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miny
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kaminsky
authors.forename: Mariette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercier
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tournier-Rangeard
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montcuquet
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rauch
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Conroy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents