title: Validation of the Turkish versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 modules in breast cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the validity and reliability of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core (QLQ-C30) and breast cancer module (QLQ-BR23) for Turkish breast cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 127 patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) enrolled to this prospective study. EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules applied to patients before initiation of RT and at follow-up period. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 13.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaires' were found reliable and valid for Turkish breast cancer patients. Six of the 8 multi-item scales of QLQ-C30 had a high reliability (Cronbach's ? >0.7); where physical functioning and pain scores were less reliable (Cronbach's ? of 0.66 and 0.68 respectively). In the QLQ-BR23, 3 of 5 multi-item scales were reliable; less reliable were breast and arm symptoms scale (Cronbach's ? of 0.65 and 0.61 respectively). In our analysis the most determinative subscales of QLQ-C30 on global health was emotional functioning followed by fatigue, role functioning and appetite loss (respectively p=0.002, p=0.01; p=0.03 and p=0.08). Among QLQ-BR23 scales systemic therapy SIDE effects, future perspective and upset by hair loss subscales had high impact on global health status (respectively p=0.006; p=0.01 and p=0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Turkish version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules are reliable and valid tools to assess quality of life of Turkish breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. senem.demirci@ege.edu.tr
authors.forename: Senem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eser
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ozsaran
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tankisi
authors.forename: Arif B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.forename: Gul
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozaydemir
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Anacak
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey