title: Comparison of the EORTC STO-22 and the FACT-Ga quality of life questionnaires for patients with gastric cancer.
abstract: This review compares the development, characteristics, validity, and reliability of two well-known quality of life (QOL) assessment tools used in patients with gastric cancer: the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach (EORTC QLQ-STO22) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga). A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL (inception to April 2015) to identify studies that discussed the development, characteristics, validity and reliability of the EORTC QLQ-STO22 or the FACT-Ga. The QLQ-STO22 was developed with collaboration with patients, healthcare professionals and literature review and was mainly field tested in European countries. Conversely, items on the FACT-Ga were generated from interviews with patients and healthcare professionals concurrently in North America and Asia. While both modules involve a 7-day recall period and use Likert scales, the QLQ-STO22 and FACT-Ga differ in terms of QOL domain focus, quantity and presentation of items, response options, and scoring. However, both tools show good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, sensitivity to change and construct validity. In addition, both questionnaires have been internationally validated within a large sample of patients undergoing a variety of treatments, thus demonstrating their cross-cultural applicability. The EORTC QLQ-STO22 and FACT-Ga are both valid and reliable tools with unique strengths and weaknesses. Selection between instruments should consider specific patient characteristics and goals of the study.
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Woo
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Terence
authors: T
authors: Fu
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Marko
authors: M
authors: Popovic
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada. Edward.Chow@sunnybrook.ca.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Chow
authors: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Cella
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: C Shun
authors: CS
authors: Wong
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Lam
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Pulenzas
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Breanne
authors: B
authors: Lechner
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Sherlyn
authors: S
authors: Vuong
authors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Vithusha
authors: V
authors: Ganesh
authors: European Organisation for Research & Treatment of Cancer Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Bottomley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach (EORTC QLQ-STO22); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga); Gastric cancer; quality of life (QOL); questionnaire