title: [Validation of BR23 questionnaire for the assessment of quality of life of breast cancer patients in Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of Life assessment in oncologic patients evaluates the impact and sequels of the disease ana the adverse effects of available treatments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To validate in Chile the breast cancer specific-questionnaire (BR23) developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).
  
  
  METHODS
  After performing a linguistic validation of the BR23 according to EORTC instructions, its psychometric properties were tested in 103 patients with breast cancer whose ages ranged from 34 to 83 years. Internal consistency of the scales was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The test-retest correlations of each scale (n = 83) were evaluated. The correlation of BR23 scales with SF36 version 2 and C30 version 3.0 scales was also assessed. The sensitivity and specificity of the instrument were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alpha values showed acceptable levels of internal consistency, ranging between 0.702 and 0.917 in all scales of BR23. The statistical analysis revealed significant test-retest correlations in most scales of BR23. The correlations between BR23 and similar domains of C30 and SF36 questionnaires were also significant. The BR23 questionnaire demonstrated satisfactory levels of sensitivity and specificity when compared with the SF-36 scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BR23 questionnaire adapted for use in Chile is linguistically appropriate and psychometrically valid.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Calidad de Vida, Instituto Oncológico, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: M Elisa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Irarrázaval
authors.forename: Pía F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fasce
authors.forename: Fernando W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Waintrub
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barriga
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fritis
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marín
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires