title: Experiences with the FACT-EGFRI-18 instrument in EGFRI-associated mucocutaneous adverse events.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The functional assessment of cancer therapy epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor 18 (FACT-EGFRI-18) is a patient-reported outcomes questionnaire developed to assess the effect of EGFRI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten native-speaking residents of The Netherlands who reported EGFRI-associated mucocutaneous adverse events (mcAEs) were administered the questionnaire. Patients were subsequently asked a standardized series of questions about the items' personal relevance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses reflected a major negative impact of mcAEs due to EGFRI on physical, social/emotional, and functional domains. In some cases, especially in the social/emotional domain, the responses to the qualitative interview indicated a greater impact on HRQoL than the numerical ratings previously selected for the Dutch FACT-EGFRI-18 questions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these interviews, we identified that the physical items associated with mcAEs interfere most with HRQoL. The results suggest that the FACT-EGFRI-18 can be applied to measure mcAE-related HRQoL in cancer patients undergoing EGFRI therapy. In addition, patients feel the need to rate their symptom burden, too, and we recommend additional adverse event items to be incorporated into the questionnaire.
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. c.b.boers-doets@lumc.nl
authors: Christine B
authors: CB
authors: Boers-Doets
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Gelderblom
authors: Mario E
authors: ME
authors: Lacouture
authors: Joel B
authors: JB
authors: Epstein
authors: Johan W R
authors: JW
authors: Nortier
authors: Ad A
authors: AA
authors: Kaptein
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors