The reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with Bone Metastases: the EORTC QLQ-BM22

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the measure among a sample of Iranian patients with bone metastases. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with bone metastases undergoing various treatments were recruited from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran to participate in the study. The coefficient alpha affirmed internal consistency reliability of the Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with Bone Metastases (QLQ-BM22). This measure discriminated well between subgroups of the patients based on performance status and responding to treatment. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factorial validity of the four hypothesized QLQ-BM22 scales. Patients in this study had a similar interpretation of the items on the QLQ-BM22 regardless of gender. All scales of the QLQ-BM22 were sensitive to change after treatment over a month’s follow-up, with the exception of psychosocial aspects. The Persian version of the EORTC QLQ-BM22 was highly reliable and is valid for use among patients with bone metastases who are undergoing various treatment regimes.

Keywords::

• bone metastases
• European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BM22
• factor structure
• health-related quality of life
• multigroup confirmatory factor analysis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• The impact of bone metastasis (BM) on patients’ quality of life (QoL) is important to consider in assessing health needs and outcomes from health care services/interventions internationally.

• The Iranian version of the QLQ-BM22 may be a useful population health level instrument for assessing health-related quality of life of BM patients among oncologists working with Persian speaking communities.

• The Iranian version of the QLQ-BM22 can serve as a screening instrument for patients with unknown performance status in primary care or clinical settings.

• The Iranian version of the QLQ-BM22 was interpreted similarly by male and female patients with BM.

• The existence of an Iranian version of the QLQ-BM22 will facilitate cross-cultural and cross-national research to enhance oncologists understanding of the impact of BM on patient’s quality of life internationally.