title: Systematic review recommends the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer colorectal cancer-specific module for measuring quality of life in colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically appraise the measurement properties of standardized health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to provide recommendations on the choice of HRQOL instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of English language literature published between January 1985 and May 2014 identified through a database search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE. HRQOL instruments were rated on methodological quality and overall levels of evidence using a Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instrument checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Internal consistency and hypothesis testing were evaluated most frequently in 63 studies identified. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) was the most extensively evaluated. The highest number of positive ratings in the overall level of evidence was found in the CRC-specific quality of life questionnaire module (QLQ-CR38) in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) module, followed by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bowel instrument, FACT-C, and Quick-FLIC. The EORTC QLQ-CR38 had the most positive ratings on measurement property and was recommended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EORTC QLQ-CR38 was recommended to assess HRQOL in patients with CRC, regardless of disease stage and primary tumor site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong. Electronic address: carlosho@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Carlos K H
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Rm 306, Faculty of Medicine Building, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Charlotte L Y
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Mansy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sham
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Cindy L K
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: COSMIN; Colorectal cancer; Measurement property; Psychometrics; Quality of life; Systematic review