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

Carlos K H Wong; Jing Chen; Charlotte L Y Yu; Mansy Sham; Cindy L K Lam

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.09.021

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

J Clin Epidemiol. 2015 Mar;68(3):266-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.09.021. Epub 2014 Nov 6.

Authors

Carlos K H Wong¹, Jing Chen², Charlotte L Y Yu³, Mansy Sham³, Cindy L K Lam³

Affiliations

¹ 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.
² 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.
³ 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.

PMID: 25455838
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.09.021

Abstract

Objectives: 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.

Study design and setting: 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.

Conclusion: The EORTC QLQ-CR38 was recommended to assess HRQOL in patients with CRC, regardless of disease stage and primary tumor site.

Keywords: COSMIN; Colorectal cancer; Measurement property; Psychometrics; Quality of life; Systematic review.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Colorectal Neoplasms / physiopathology
Colorectal Neoplasms / psychology*
Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
Health Status Indicators*
Humans
Patient Outcome Assessment*
Quality of Life / psychology*
Review Literature as Topic*
Surveys and Questionnaires