Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Upper Limb Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Upper Limb Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (C-ULLQoL).

Methods

Eighty-five participants completed the C-ULLQoL and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (C-FACT-B). The Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to determine the internal consistency, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) – to evaluate the test-retest reliability. The content validity index (CVI) was assessed by a group of experts. Construct validity was examined by performing factor analysis and criterion validity by observing the correlations between C-ULLQoL with C-FACT-B.

Results

Cronbach’s α of the total scale was 0.930. ICC scores ranged from 0.874 to 0.938. The content validity of C-ULLQoL was acceptable. Two factors (65.488% of the variance) were extracted by exploratory factor analysis. A significant correlation was observed between C-ULLQoL and C-FACT-B (r = −0.611, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The C-ULLQoL is a reliable and valid questionnaire that can be used in clinic and scientific practice for evaluating health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• An effective and comprehensive scale to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is essential because breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) leads to various complications for patients, caregivers, and society.

• The Chinese version of the Upper Limb Lymphedema Quality of Life Scale (C-ULLQoL) is a valid, reliable, and practical instrument to comprehensively assess HRQoL in Chinese patients with BCRL.

• The C-ULLQoL can be used in both clinical and research settings to evaluate HRQoL of BCRL patients in China.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• lymphedema
• quality of life
• factor analysis
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Professor Angela E. Williams for his permission to use the ULLQoL scale. We also thank all study staff as well as participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).