• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.873-876
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• 2016

Background: Studies of quality of life (QoL) of oncological patients is carried out using questionnaires approved in many international clinical studies. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life Questionnary-Core 30) and its special brain cancer module EORTC QLQ-BN20 are widely used in the world neurooncologic practice. They are available in more than 80 official versions of 30 languages of the world. Previously we used the official versions in Russian, which often causes difficulty in understanding for native Kazakh language speakers, who comprise more than 60% of our respondents. This was the reason for creating a version of Kazakh language. Therefore, in 2014 for the first time the process of adaptation of questionnaires to the Kazakh language was initiated. Materials and Methods: The translation process of questionnaires to Kazakh language was held in accordance with the requirements of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC on QoL and consisted of the following stages: preparation - translation - pilot testing - approval. The official permission of authors and "Guideline on translation" was obtained which was developed by the working group of the EORTC on QoL. The pilot testing of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires was conducted on the basis of the Department of Central Nervous System Pathology of the "National Centre for Neurosurgery" in patients with malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Results: The official versions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires in Kazakh language were introduced and adapted in practical neurosurgical operations in Kazakhstan. Conclusions: The approved versions of the questionnaires in Kazakh language are now available for mainstream use on the official website EORTC.com. The versions of these questionnaires can be used in domestic cohort studies and clinical practice in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The use of these tools for assessing QoL will help professionals in the planning of individual treatment strategies and selection of the necessary therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2739-2745
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• 2014

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a fundamental outcome in oncology patients and quality of life (QOL) assessment requires clinically relevant questionnaires. The purpose of this study was translation and definition of measurement properties and the clinical validity of Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-OG25 module in Persian patients with oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) or gastric cancers. Materials and Methods: The translation procedure followed European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) guidelines. Both EORTC QLQ-OG25 and a core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were administered to patients with oesophagus (150), OG junction (93) and gastric (32) cancer undergoing multi-modal treatments. Convergent and discriminant validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and known-groups comparisons were used to examine reliability and validity. Results: In all, 275 patients (mean age 62 years) completed both questionnaires. Compliance rate was high and the questionnaire module was well accepted. We found good reliability for multi-item subscales of QLQ-OG25 (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.76-0.89). About 73% had TNM staging and scales distinguished between clinically distinct groups of patients. However, patients in palliative group experienced compromised functional status and worse treatment-associated symptoms than those in the potentially curative group. Test-retest scores were consistent. Multi-trait scaling analysis demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: Overall, the Persian version of QLQ-OG25 demonstrated psychometric and clinical validity that supports its application as a supplement to the original tool (EORTC QLQ-C30) when assessing HRQL in patients with upper-gastrointestinal (GI) cancer both in curative and palliative phases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2619-2624
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Arabic countries are also concerned and the burden linked to the pain related to cancer is dsiquieting. The aim of this study is to set the panel of valid tools for assessing the multiple dimensions of pain in arabic speaking countries. Materials and Methods: A systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases was conducted using as key words cancer, pain and arabic speaking population. The content of 51 articles was studied and nine articles were retained for their relevance for the issue. Results: We founf eight different questionnaires. MSAS-Leb, EORTC-C30, EORTC-BR23, MDASI, FLIC, and COOP/WONCA are dedicated to physical and psychological dimensions of pain. BPI is centered on direct items for measuring pain accurately. ABQ-II is the unique tool focusing on barriers to cancer pain control. All tools are confirmed valid and reliable in the context studied for assessing pain and disconfort linked to cancer. Conclusions: This panel of questionnaires covers all relevant aims for assessing pain in diferent arabic speaking countries with the recommendation of a cultural adaptation to local arabic languages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3095-3099
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• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in India. Understanding quality of life (QOL) in women undergoing chemo-radiotherapy for cervical cancer will help in introducing interventions for better care and outcomes in these women. This study assessed QOL before and after chemo-radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This follow-up study covered sixty-seven newly diagnosed women with advanced cervical cancer (stages 2b to 4b). Structured questionnaires (the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CX24) were used to assess the change in QOL after 6 months of treatment. Results: The mean age of women at the time of detection of cervical cancer was $52.3{\pm}11.29$ years (Range 30-75 years). Six months survival was 92.53%. The mean global health score of cervical cancer patients after six months of treatment was 59.52, which was significantly higher than the pre-treatment score of 50.15 (p=0.00007). Physical, cognitive and emotional functioning improved significantly (p<0.05) after treatment. Fatigue, pain, insomnia and appetite loss improved but episodes of diarrhea increased after treatment. The mean "symptoms score" using EORTC QLQ-CX24 post treatment was 20.0 which was significantly lower as compared to the pre- treatment score 30.0 (p<0.00001). Sexual enjoyment and sexual functioning decreased significantly after treatment. Conclusions: QOL of newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients improved significantly following chemo-radio therapy. Enhancement was also demonstrated on three of the five functional scales of EORTC QLQ-C30. To further improve QOL, interventions focusing on social and psychological support and physical rehabilitation may be needed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.314-322
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of life reported by patients with multiple myeloma and secondly to identify the factors that impact the quality of life (QoL). Methods: 189 patients with multiple myeloma completed survey questionnaires. Quality of life was evaluated using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core (EORTC QLQ-C) 30 and Multiple Myeloma (MY) 20. The data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Duncan test and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The mean score for each subscale of EORTC QLQ-C30 was 53.35 for global health status, 73.37 for functional scale, and 31.29 for symptom scale. The mean score for each subscale of EORTC QLQ-MY20 was 60.49 for future perspective, 59.78 for body image, 20.25 for disease symptom and 24.99 for side effect of treatment. Quality of life was reported to be significantly lower among females, unemployed, dependence on a sibling for financial support for treatment, a diagnosis of anemia, having treatment, high score on Eastern Coorperative Oncology Group and high grade peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: The results of the survey can identify characteristics impacting the QoL of patients with multiple myeloma. Developing appropriate educational strategies and nursing interventions would enhance their QoL.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2015

Along with the recent trend of improved survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a significant outcome measure and its improvement is an important goal. The most widely adopted CRC specific HRQoL questionnaires are the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Qualityof-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-C). CRC survivors without serious comorbidity or recurrence experience only minor deficits of overall HRQoL when compared to the general population. However, disease recurrence, progression, and more specific limitations, including weight loss, reduction in energy, and psychosocial problems like psychological distress and depression, could result in lower HRQoL. To improve HRQoL, further research is required to develop appropriate health education regarding lifestyle changes and personalized intervention strategies for CRC survivors.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2010

Purpose: This study sought to provide basic information for the establishment of home care nursing system in cancer patients. Methods: Data were collected by the descriptive questionnaires consisting of 42 articles from five fields of nursing services. Patient's symptoms were investigated by the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C30. Data were analysed using SPSS-PC 12.0. Results: Among the cancer patients (n=182), 40.1% had serious limitations on their usual lives. 74.7% had serious economic burdens. 79.7% agreed strongly with the necessity of home care nursing system, 74.2% were willing to use home care nursing, and 91.2% felt that home care nursing should be mandatory in cancer centers. There was no correlation between the frequency of symptoms or nursing items and the degree of home care nursing requirements. Digestive symptoms, symptoms requiring procedures, and symptoms to meet educational help displayed a high degree of requirement. Conclusion: Home care nursing should be activated for cancer patients as a bridge between hospital-based acute care and community-based chronic care which could increase the quality of care and reduce insurance related payments.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2001

Purpose : It is very important to endow the cancer patients underwent chemotherapy with satisfactory quality of life (QOL). However, little is known about the factors influencing QOL during chemotherapy. Therefore, we designed this study to find out the factors influencing QOL in the cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy. Methods : Ninety-seven cancer patients were studied, prospectively. The patients' characteristics were as follows; median age(range): 48(19{\sim}83) years, male:female; 57:40, PS:0,1/2,3;55/42 patients, diagnosis(number): lymphoma (28), lung cancer (22), gastrointestinal cancer (18), sarcoma (12), breast cancer (12), gynecological cancer (5), Stage: I,II/III.IV;37/60 patients. We used EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires to evaluate QOL. EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were performed before the onset of chemotherapy and after the end of 3 cycles of chemotherapy. The correlation of these scores with performance status (PS), diagnosis, disease stage, response to chemotherapy, and regimen related toxicity was evaluated. Results : The responder group (CR, PR) demonstrated marked improvement of social functional and emotional scales to non-responder group (SD,PD) (P=0.024, 0.045). Non-hematologic regimen related toxicity such as mucositis, nausea and vomiting was significantly correlated with pain scale change (P=0.043). Other factors had no notable correlation with QOL changes. Conclusion : Our preliminary study results may suggest as follows. The response to chemotherapy is associated with the change of social functional and emotional scales and the severity of non-hematologic regimen related toxicity is associated with pain scale change.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6779-6782
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• 2015

Background: Chemoradiotherapy is an important treatment modality for lung cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in, as well as the interrelationship between, lung function and quality of life of patients receiving chemoradiotherapy due to locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) limited to the thorax. Materials and Methods: The study included patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy for lung carcinoma. The respiratory function of the patients was assessed by measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 s per unit (FEV1) and forced expiratory volume in 1s per unit of vital capacity (FEV1/VC) before, in the middle of and after treatment. During the study, EORTC QLQ C30 and LC13 questionnaires developed by the Committee of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) were employed to evaluate the quality of life on the same day as respiratory function tests (RFT). Findings: The study included 23 patients in total: 19 (82.6%) diagnosed with NSCLC and 4 (17.4%) with SCLC. The average percentage FEV1 was $55.6{\pm}21.8%$ in the pre-treatment period, $56.2{\pm}19.2%$ in the middle of treatment and $60.4{\pm}22%$ at the end of treatment. The improvement in functional scores, symptom scores and general health scores during treatment was not statistically significant (P= 0.568, P= 0.734, P= 0.680, P=0.757 respectively). Conclusions: Although this study showed an improvement in respiratory function and quality of life of patients during treatment with thoracic chemoradiotherapy, no statistically significant results were obtained. While evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for lung carcinoma, the effects of treatment on respiratory function and quality of life should be considered.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of activity status, anxiety, depression, social support, symptom experience, and functional status in patients with lung cancer based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms. Methods: The participants for this study were 101 lung cancer patients who visited the out-patient department for treatment or follow-up at one hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from January 1 to February 8, 2013 using self-reported questionnaires and clinical records. To measure variables, the functional scale and symptom scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, EORTC QLQ-Lung Cancer 13, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used in this study. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 software for Windows. Results: The symptom experience showed more severity in patients with lower activity status, higher anxiety and depression. With lower activity status and social support, functional status was lower. When anxiety, depression, and symptom experience were higher, functional status was also lower. The significant factors predicting symptom experience were depression, anxiety, activity status, and social support, which explained 57.8% of the variance. Conclusion: These results suggest that psychological factors such as anxiety and depression had a negative influence on the symptom experience of lung cancer patients. Therefore, providing emotional support based on the patients' needs prior to providing symptom management could be a useful strategy for improving symptom experience and functional status.