title: Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the xerostomia questionnaire in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: Xerostomia after radiation therapy for head and neck (H&N) cancer has serious effects on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to validate the Greek version of the self-reported eight-item xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) in patients treated with radiotherapy for H&N cancer.
  
  
  
  The XQ was translated into Greek and administered to 100 XQ patients. An exploratory factor analysis was performed. Reliability measures were calculated. Several types of validity were evaluated. The observer-rated scoring system was also used.
  
  
  
  The mean XQ value was 41.92 (SD 22.71). Factor analysis revealed the unidimensional nature of the questionnaire. High reliability measures (ICC, Cronbach's α, Pearson coefficients) were obtained. Patients differed statistically significantly in terms of XQ score, depending on the RTOG/EORTC classification.
  
  
  
  The Greek version of XQ is valid and reliable. Its score is well related to observer's findings and it can be used to evaluate the impact of radiation therapy on the subjective feeling of xerostomia.
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, Pinelopi Theopisti Memtsa 26 Psarron str, 54 453, Thessaloniki, PC, Greece. pennymemtsa1@gmail.com.
authors: Pinelopi Theopisti
authors: PT
authors: Memtsa
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tolia
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, Pinelopi Theopisti Memtsa 26 Psarron str, 54 453, Thessaloniki, PC, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Tzitzikas
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Head n Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Bizakis
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, Pinelopi Theopisti Memtsa 26 Psarron str, 54 453, Thessaloniki, PC, Greece.
authors: Kyriaki
authors: K
authors: Pistevou-Gombaki
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Martha
authors: M
authors: Charalambidou
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Chrysoula
authors: C
authors: Iliopoulou
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Kyrgias
mesh_terms: D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Quality of life; Questionnaire; Radiotherapy; Reliability; Validity; Xerostomia