title: Psychometric Validation of the Bahasa Malaysia Version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-specific Quality Of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 93 patients recruited from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered method. Tools included QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS). Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, test-retest correlations, multi-traits scaling and known-groups comparisons. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, blood and mucus and stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha α ≥ 0.65). However, the coefficients were low for the blood and mucus and stool frequency scales in patients with a stoma bag (α = 0.46). Test-retest correlation coefficients were moderate to high (range: r = 0.51 to 1.00) for most of the scales except anxiety, urinary frequency, buttock pain, hair loss, stoma care related problems, and dyspareunia (r ≤ 0.49). Convergent and discriminant validities were achieved in all scales. Patients with a stoma reported significantly higher symptoms of blood and mucus in the stool, flatulence, faecal incontinence, sore skin, and embarrassment due to the frequent need to change the stoma bag (p < 0.05) compared to patients without stoma. None of the scales distinguished between patients based on the KPS scores. There were no overlaps between scales in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (r < 0.40).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the BM version of the QLQ-CR29 indicated acceptable psychometric properties in most of the scales similar to original validation study. This questionnaire could be used to complement the QLQ-C30 in assessing HRQOL among BM speaking population with colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya E-mail : drmagaji@siswa.um.edu.my, mbarkilla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bello Arkilla
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Magaji
authors.forename: Foong Ming
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.forename: April Camilla
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Roslani
authors.forename: Chee Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Farhana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raduan
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sagap
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires