Responsiveness and convergent validity of QLU-C10D and EQ-5D-3L in assessing short-term quality of life following esophagectomy

Validation of the cancer-specific utility measure EORTC QLU-C10D using evidence from four lung cancer trials covering six country value sets

The Quality of Life (QoL) Utility measure, QLU-C10D, is derived of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire, QLQ-C30. Based on the cancer-specific nature, the QLU-C10D is expected to be sensitive and responsive in lung cancer patients.This retrospective analysis used data from four international lung cancer multi-center trials (NCT00656136, NCT00949650, NCT01085136, NCT01523587). Clinical validity was assessed in comparison to a generic standard utility instrument, the EuroQoL Group´s EQ-5D-3L. Utilities of six country value sets (Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, UK) were calculated at baseline and end of treatment for both measures. Country value set pairs of both measures (k) were compared in terms of Relative Efficiency (RE) and difference in Effect Sizes (dES) in 1) sensitivity to detect differences between performance status groups and 2) responsiveness to changes at each trial sample. Analysis of the four trials (N1 = 496, N2 = 290, N3 = 202, N4 = 770) with the six country value sets of each utility measure showed ad 1) Sensitivity indices favored the QLU-C10D (k = 18, p ≤ 0.019; RE > 1.10; dES > 0.03), and ad 2) Responsiveness indices of changes within clinically known groups (k = 78), largely favored QLU-C10D (k = 74, p ≤ .024; RE > 1.01; dES > 0.02), in comparison with the generic utility instrument. In summary, 96% of the comparative indices favored the QLU-C10D. In summary, this study confirms the clinical validity of the QLU-C10D in lung cancer patients. The QLU-C10D produced homogenous results across six country value sets and detected differences/changes in alignment with clinical expectations. In most comparisons the QLU-C10D was more sensitive or responsive compared to the EQ-5D-3L.

Validation of the Cancer-Specific Preference-Based Measure EORTC QLU-C10D against the Generic Instruments EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 in a Prospectively Collected Sample of Patients with Cancer in Austria and France

BACKGROUND

The Quality of Life Utility - Core 10 Dimensions (QLU-C10D) is a disease-specific preference-based measure (PBM) designed to obtain health state utility values from patients with cancer. Previously, satisfactory psychometric properties were established from retrospective trial analyses using clinical anchors. This study aimed to validate the QLU-C10D against two generic PBMs in a prospective sample of Austrian and French patients with cancer using patient-reported anchors.

METHODS

Patients completed the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 (QLQ-C30), EQ-5D-5L and Short Form 36 (SF-36) at study baseline (any time during anti-cancer treatment) plus a follow-up assessment 3-6 months later. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. QLU-C10D and SF-6Dv2 utilities were calculated from QLQ-C30 and SF-36 data, respectively. German, French and UK value sets were applied for all three PBMs. Floor and ceiling effects were assessed. Known-group validity (independent t-test) and responsiveness (paired t-tests) were assessed respectively by ability to detect health status differences and changes over time according to patient-rated overall quality of life/health perception assessed by the QLQ-C30 Global Health Status scale, the EQ-5D-5L VAS and the SF-36 General Health scale.

RESULTS

A total of 465 patients were included in the analysis. QLU-C10D index scores (intra-class correlation) and domains (Pearson) were correlated with EQ-5D-5L and Short-Form Six Dimensions (SF-6Dv2) conceptual counterparts. Correlation coefficients for the index scores of QLU-C10D and the generic PBMs ranged from 0.63 to 0.81. The QLU-C10D detected statistically significant differences between groups at baseline in 100% of tests performed (n = 27). For changes over time, QLU-C10D detected expected effects in 68% of cases (n = 29). In comparison with the generic PBMs, QLU-C10D detected differences and changes with a higher statistical efficiency in 76% of cases (77 of 102).

CONCLUSIONS

The QLU-C10D is a fit-for-purpose ready-to-use PBM to estimate health state utilities of patients with cancer. This study adds to evidence that QLU-C10D has appropriate psychometric properties and appears to have higher statistical efficiency than generic PBMs in cancer.

The added value of the cognition, dining, gastrointestinal problems, sleep and tiredness bolt-on dimensions to the EQ-5D-5L in patients with coeliac disease

OBJECTIVES

Multiple studies suggest that the EQ-5D may overestimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with coeliac disease (CD). We aimed to develop and psychometrically test potentially relevant bolt-on dimensions to improve the measurement performance of the EQ-5D-5L in CD patients.

METHODS

The development and selection of bolt-ons were informed by a literature review on HRQoL in CD, expert and patient input. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted amongst 312 adult CD patients. Respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L, two condition-specific bolt-ons newly-developed for the present study [dining (DI) and gastrointestinal problems (GI)] and three existing bolt-ons [cognition (CO), sleep (SL) and tiredness (TI)]. The following psychometric properties were tested: ceiling, informativity, convergent and known-group validity, and dimensionality (confirmatory factor analysis).

RESULTS

Adding the TI, SL, GI, DI and CO individual bolt-ons reduced the ceiling of the EQ-5D-5L (39%) to 17%, 23%, 24%, 26% and 37%, respectively. GI excelled with strong convergent validity with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale total score (rs=0.71) and improved the discriminatory power for all known-groups. GI was the only bolt-on loading on a different factor from the five core dimensions, whereas the other four bolt-ons loaded onto the same 'psychosocial health' factor as the EQ-5D-5L anxiety/depression dimension.

CONCLUSION

The DI, GI, SL and TI bolt-ons, especially the GI, enhance the validity of EQ-5D-5L in patients with CD, suggesting their value in capturing important HRQoL aspects potentially missed by the five core dimensions. These bolt-ons can be used in sensitivity analyses supporting health technology assessments and subsequent resource allocation decisions.

Cancer-specific utility instrument for health economic evaluations: A synopsis of the EORTC QLU-C10D user manual and current validity evidence

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Utility - Core 10 Dimensions (QLU-C10D) adds a preference-based scoring algorithm to the EORTC measurement portfolio. It is built on the most widely used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure in oncology, the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 (QLQ-C30), allowing for the calculation of both HRQoL profiles and health utilities. This is an important advancement for integrating cancer-specific values into health economic evaluations and decision making, offering greater content validity and statistical power than some generic measures. This article presents an outline of the EORTC QLU-C10D User Manual to inform health-technology bodies, academic researchers, and industry, on the why and how of using this instrument for utility measurement. It covers basic concepts, proper use of the tool, including administration and scoring. Further, we summarise the presently published valuation studies, country-specific value sets, and body of evidence about psychometric properties. Current methodological questions are discussed, including mapping between utility measures and adaptions of generic measures for use in cancer populations. Taking into account empirical studies on psychometric properties, like content and construct validity, and comparisons with generic measures, we argue that the QLU-C10D is a reliable and valid instrument for cancer populations. Without imposing additional patient and administrative burden it has the potential to support health economic decisions in cancer by providing high-quality cancer-specific utility scores, to complement the more detailed HRQoL information from the QLQ-C30.

The EORTC QLU-C10D is a valid cancer-specific preference-based measure for cost-utility and health technology assessment in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Cost-utility analysis typically relies on preference-based measures (PBMs). While generic PBMs are widely used, disease-specific PBMs can capture aspects relevant for certain patient populations. Here the EORTC QLU-C10D, a cancer-specific PBM based on the QLQ-C30, is validated using Dutch trial data with the EQ-5D-3L as a generic comparator measure.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data from four Dutch randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comprising the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EQ-5D-3L. Respective Dutch value sets were applied. Correlations between the instruments were calculated for domains and index scores. Bland-Altman plots and intra-class correlations (ICC) displayed agreement between the measures. Independent and paired t-tests, effect sizes and relative validity indices were used to determine the instruments' performance in detecting clinically known-group differences and health changes over time.

RESULTS

We analysed data from 602 cancer patients from four different trials. In overall, the EORTC QLU-C10D showed good relative validity with the EQ-5D-3L as a comparator (correlations of index scores r = 0.53-0.75, ICCs 0.686-0.808, conceptually similar domains showed higher correlations than dissimilar domains). Most importantly, it detected 63% of expected clinical group differences and 50% of changes over time in patients undergoing treatment. Both instruments showed poor performance in survivors. Detection rate and measurement efficiency were clearly higher for the QLU-C10D than for the EQ-5D-3L.

CONCLUSIONS

The Dutch EORTC QLU-C10D showed good comparative validity in patients undergoing treatment. Our results underline the benefit that can be achieved by using a cancer-specific PBM for generating health utilities for cancer patients from a measurement perspective.

Valuing quality of life for economic evaluations in cancer: navigating multiple methods

INTRODUCTION

Utility values offer a quantitative means to evaluate the impact of novel cancer treatments on patients' quality of life (QoL). However, the multiple methods available for valuing QoL present challenges in selecting the most appropriate method across different contexts.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides cancer clinicians and researchers with an overview of methods to value QoL for economic evaluations, including standalone and derived preference-based measures (PBMs) and direct preference elicitation methods. Recent developments are described, including the comparative performance of cancer-specific PBMs versus generic PBMs, measurement of outcomes beyond health-related QoL, and increased use of discrete choice experiments to elicit preferences. Recommendations and considerations are provided to guide the choice of method for cancer research.

EXPERT OPINION

We foresee continued adoption of the QLU-C10D and FACT-8D in cancer clinical trials given the extensive use of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G in cancer research. While these cancer-specific PBMs offer the convenience of eliciting utility values without needing a standalone PBM, researchers should consider potential limitations if they intend to substitute them for generic PBMs. As the field advances, there is a greater need for consensus on the approach to selection and integration of various methods in cancer clinical trials.

Cancer-specific utility: clinical validation of the EORTC QLU-C10D in patients with glioblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Many health economic evaluations rely on the validity of the utility measurement for health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While generic utility measures perform well in HRQoL assessments of many diseases and patient populations, appropriateness for cancer-specific disease burdens needs attention and condition-specific measures could be a viable option. This study assessed the clinical validity of the cancer-specific EORTC QLU-C10D, a utility scoring algorithm for the EORTC QLQ-C30, in patients with glioblastoma. We expect the EORTC QLU-C10D to be sensitive and responsive in glioblastoma patients. Furthermore, we compared its statistical efficiency with the generic utility measure EQ-5D-3L.

METHODS

We used data from a multi-center randomized controlled trial (NCT00689221) with patients from 146 study sites in 25 countries. Both, the QLQ-C30 and the EQ-5D-3L, had been administered at seven assessment points together. Utilities of both measures were calculated for four country value set (Australia, Canada, UK, USA). Ceiling effects, agreement (Bland-Altman plots (BA), intra-class correlation (ICC)), were calculated to analyze construct validity. Sensitivity to known-groups (performance status; global health) and responsiveness to changes (progressive vs. non-progressive; stable vs. improved or deteriorated HRQoL) were investigated for clinical validity. Relative Efficiency (RE) was calculated to compare statistical efficiency of both utility measures.

RESULTS

435 patients were included at baseline and six subsequent time points (median timeframe 497 days). QLU-C10D country value set showed negligible ceiling effects (< 6.7%) and high agreement with EQ-5D-3L (ICC > 0.750). BA indicated that differences between both utility measures increased with deteriorating health states. While the QLU-C10D was more sensitive to global health groups (RE > 1.2), the EQ-5D-3L was more sensitive to performance status groups (RE < 0.7) than the other utility measure. Statistical efficiency to detect differences between change groups and within HRQoL deterioration group (RE > 1.4) favored QLU-C10D in 18 of 24 (75%) and 20 of 24 (83%) comparisons with the EQ-5D-3L respectively. Responsiveness to overall HRQoL change (RE > 3.4) also favored the QLU-C10D.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the QLU-C10D is a valid utility measure to assess HRQoL in patients with glioblastoma. This facilitates the investigation of HRQoL profiles and utilities in this patient population by administering a single questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30. Efficiency analyses point to higher statistical power of the QLU-C10D compared to the EQ-5D-3L.

The Cancer-Specific Health Economic Measure QLU-C10D is Valid and Responsive for Assessing Health Utility in Patients with Thyroid Cancer

Background: Health economic appraisals often rely on the assessment of health utilities using preference-based measures (PBM). The cancer-specific PBM, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Utility - Core 10 Dimensions (EORTC QLU-C10D), was developed recently, and now needs to be validated in various clinical populations. Methods: In a multicenter, multinational prospective cohort study, we longitudinally collected EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-5L data from patients with thyroid cancer. We applied seven country-specific value sets to the QLQ-C30 data to derive country-specific utility values and used the EQ-5D-5L as a comparator PBM. Criterion validity was assessed by correlating index scores and Bland-Altman plots. Construct validity was investigated by correlating domain scores. Known-group comparisons and responsiveness were assessed using external clinical criteria. Results: A total of 181 patients with thyroid cancer from nine countries (three continents) provided analyzable data. Patients were included if they had differentiated, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer. Mean utility values of both instruments were generally lower compared to general population norms. No floor or ceiling effects were present for the QLU-C10D. The intra-class correlation for EQ-5D-5L and QLU-C10D index values ranged from 0.761 to 0.901 across the measurement timepoints, supporting criterion validity. Spearman's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.289 to 0.716 for theoretically corresponding domain pairs. The QLU-C10D detected differences in 9 of 15 known-group comparisons, supporting sensitivity. Clinically important changes were detected by all QLU-C10D country specific value sets, supporting responsiveness. Further, the QLU-C10D had higher statistical efficiency than the EQ-5D-5L in 74.7% of comparisons. Conclusions: The QLU-C10D is a valid PBM for health economic evaluations in thyroid cancer studies. We recommend its use to estimate health utilities in economic evaluations of thyroid cancer therapies.

A comparison of measurement properties between EORTC QLU-C10D and FACT-8D in patients with hematological malignances

OBJECTIVE

To perform a comparison of the measurement properties of two cancer-specific Multi-Attribute Utility Instruments (MAUIs), EORTC QLU-C10D and FACT-8D, in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies (HM).

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal study on patients with HM in China, using QLU-C10D and FACT-8D at baseline and follow-up (3-4 months from baseline). We assessed: (i) convergent validity using Spearman's rank correlation test (r) with EQ-5D-5L; (ii) clinical-groups validity by differentiating cancer stages, overall health assessment (OHA), Eastern Cancer Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and mental health status. We also examined clinical validity with effect size (ES) and relative efficiency (RE); (iii) responsiveness to changes in patient self-perception using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the curves (AUC); and (iv) agreement using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and visualized with Bland-Altman plot.

RESULTS

Among the 308 patients with HM at baseline, 131 completed the follow-up survey. Agreement between the two measures was high (ICC = 0.76). Both measures were highly correlated with EQ-5D-5 L and significantly differentiated (p < 0.001) among groups categorized by cancer stage, OHA performance status, and mental health. ESs for QLU-C10D were numerically higher for cancer stage, OHA, and performance status (ES = 0.53-1.49), whereas ES was higher for FACT-8D and mental health status (ES = 1.35). Responsiveness was higher for QLU-C10D (AUC = 0.84) compared to FACT-8D (AUC = 0.78).

CONCLUSION

Both QLU-C10D and FACT-8D are valid cancer-specific MAUIs for evaluating patients with HM. However, scholars should consider their slight differences in focus when choosing between the two measures.

Cancer-Specific Health Utilities: Evaluation of Core Measurement Properties of the EORTC QLU-C10D in Lung Cancer Patients-Data from Four Multicentre LUX-Lung Trials, Applying Six Country Tariffs

BACKGROUND

Cost-utility analysis generally requires valid preference-based measures (PBMs) to assess the utility of patient health. While generic PBMs are widely used, disease-specific PBMs may capture additional aspects of health relevant for certain patient populations. This study investigates the construct and concurrent criterion validity of the cancer-specific European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Utility-Core 10 dimensions (QLU-C10D) in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data from four multicentre LUX-Lung trials, all of which had administered the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the EQ-5D-3L. We applied six country-specific value sets (Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom) to both instruments. Criterion validity was assessed via correlations between the instruments' utility scores. Correlations of divergent and convergent domains and Bland-Altman plots investigated construct validity. Floor and ceiling effects were assessed.

RESULTS

The comparison of the EORTC QLU-C10D and EQ-5D-3L produced homogenous results for five of the six country tariffs. High correlations of utilities (r > 0.7) were found for all country tariffs except for the Netherlands. Moderate to high correlations of converging domain pairs (r from 0.472 to 0.718) were found with few exceptions, such as the Social Functioning-Usual Activities domain pair (max. r = 0.376). For all but the Dutch tariff, the EORTC QLU-C10D produced consistently lower utility values compared to the EQ-5D-3L (x̄ difference from - 0.082 to 0.033). Floor and ceiling effects were consistently lower for the EORTC QLU-C10D (max. 4.67% for utilities).

CONCLUSIONS

The six country tariffs showed good psychometric properties for the EORTC QLU-C10D in lung cancer patients. Criterion and construct validity was established. The QLU-C10D showed superior measurement precision towards the upper and lower end of the scale compared to the EQ-5D-3L, which is important when cost-utility analysis seeks to measure health change across the severity spectrum.

Health utility assessments in individuals undergoing diagnostic and surveillance colonoscopy: improved discrimination with a cancer-specific scale

PURPOSE

To compare the sensitivity and discriminant validity of generic and cancer-specific measures for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for individuals undergoing diagnostic or surveillance colonoscopy for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

HRQoL was assessed using EQ-5D-5L (generic), and EORTC QLQ-C30 (cancer-specific) scales, 14 days after (baseline) and one-year following colonoscopy (follow-up). Utility scores were calculated by mapping EORTC-QLQ-C30 onto QLU-C10D. Differences between participants with different indications for colonoscopy (positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT), surveillance, or symptoms) and colonoscopy findings (no polyps, polyps, or cancer) were tested using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Sensitivity was assessed by calculating the ceiling effects (proportion reporting the best possible level).

RESULTS

246 adults completed the survey, including those undergoing colonoscopy for symptoms (n = 87), positive FOBT (n = 92) or surveillance (n = 67). Those with symptoms had the lowest HRQoL at both baseline and follow-up, with differences observed within the HRQoL domains/areas of role function, appetite loss and bowel function on the QLU-C10D. No differences were found in HRQoL when stratified by findings at colonoscopy with both measures or when comparing baseline and follow-up responses. Participants reporting full health with EQ-5D-5L (21% at baseline and 16% at follow-up) still had problems on the QLU-C10D, with fatigue and sleep at baseline and with role function and fatigue at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing colonoscopy for symptoms had lower HRQoL compared to surveillance or positive FOBT. The cancer-specific QLU-C10D was more sensitive and had greater discriminant ability between patients undergoing colonoscopy for different indications.

A Smart Digital Health Platform to Enable Monitoring of Quality of Life and Frailty in Older Patients with Cancer: A Mixed-Methods, Feasibility Study Protocol

OBJECTIVES

LifeChamps is an EU Horizon 2020 project that aims to create a digital platform to enable monitoring of health-related quality of life and frailty in patients with cancer over the age of 65. Our primary objective is to assess feasibility, usability, acceptability, fidelity, adherence, and safety parameters when implementing LifeChamps in routine cancer care. Secondary objectives involve evaluating preliminary signals of efficacy and cost-effectiveness indicators.

DATA SOURCES

This will be a mixed-methods exploratory project, involving four study sites in Greece, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The quantitative component of LifeChamps (single-group, pre-post feasibility study) will integrate digital technologies, home-based motion sensors, self-administered questionnaires, and the electronic health record to (1) enable multimodal, real-world data collection, (2) provide patients with a coaching mobile app interface, and (3) equip healthcare professionals with an interactive, patient-monitoring dashboard. The qualitative component will determine end-user usability and acceptability via end-of-study surveys and interviews.

CONCLUSION

The first patient was enrolled in the study in January 2023. Recruitment will be ongoing until the project finishes before the end of 2023.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

LifeChamps provides a comprehensive digital health platform to enable continuous monitoring of frailty indicators and health-related quality of life determinants in geriatric cancer care. Real-world data collection will generate "big data" sets to enable development of predictive algorithms to enable patient risk classification, identification of patients in need for a comprehensive geriatric assessment, and subsequently personalized care.

Extending the EQ-5D: the case for a complementary set of 4 psycho-social dimensions

OBJECTIVES

The EQ-5D is the most widely applied preference-based health-related quality of life measure. However, concerns have been raised that the existing dimensional structure lacks sufficient components of mental and social aspects of health. This study empirically explored the performance of a coherent set of four psycho-social bolt-ons: Vitality; Sleep; Personal relationships; and Social isolation.

METHODS

Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with online panel members from five countries (Australia, Canada, Norway, UK, US) (total N = 4786). Four bolt-ons were described using terms aligned with EQ nomenclature. Latent structures among all nine dimensions are studied using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The Shorrocks-Shapely decomposition analyses are conducted to illustrate the relative importance of the nine dimensions in explaining two outcome measures for health (EQ-VAS, satisfaction with health) and two for subjective well-being (the hedonic approach of global life satisfaction and an eudemonic item on meaningfulness). Sub-group analyses are performed on older adults (65 +) and socially disadvantaged groups.

RESULTS

Strength of correlations among four bolt-ons ranges from 0.34 to 0.49. As for their correlations with the EQ-5D dimensions, they are generally much less correlated with four physical health dimensions than with mental health dimensions (ranged from 0.21 to 0.50). The EFA identifies two latent factors. When explaining health, Vitality is the most important. When explaining subjective well-being, Social isolation is second most important, after Anxiety/depression.

CONCLUSION

We provide evidence that further complementing the current EQ-5D-5L health state classification system with a coherent set of four bolt-on dimensions that will fill its psycho-social gap.

Childbirth Experience Questionnaire: Cross-cultural validation and psychometric evaluation for European Portuguese

BACKGROUND

Self-reported measures are relevant both for the clinic and for health evaluation because they provide an interpretation of quality parameters. Women who experience labour can express themselves through these measures, identifying indicators that need improvement.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to adapt the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire to the Portuguese context and to determine its psychometric properties.

METHOD

A methodological study carried out with a convenience sample where the participants were 161 female users of a hospital in southern Portugal. They were aged between 20 and 43 years (M = 31.05, SD = 4.87) and answered a questionnaire approximately 48 h postpartum, preserving the ethical principles. The original instrument, with 22 items, underwent the linguistic and cultural adequacy process.

RESULTS

Factor analysis with Varimax rotation was performed, revealing a set of 19 items with factor weights above .400. The set of items remained four-dimensional as the original, explaining 62.517% of the variance. In the retest, the reliability results showed that similar characteristics to the original study are maintained in the two subscales that express 'Participation' (three items) and 'Professional Support' (four items), with internal consistency values of .807 and .782. The 'Own Performance' and 'Own Threshold' subscales were elaborated from the results of the Varimax rotation, presenting Cronbach's alpha coefficients of .840 and 714, respectively. The total scale showed alpha values of .873 and .823 in the test and retest, respectively. Time stability showed a positive association, with r = .659 (p < .001). Accuracy through the split-half method reached an alpha value of .880 with Spearman-Brown correction. The floor effect was high in the 'Participation' subscale, both in the test and in the retest. Convergent validity between the instrument and the 'Index of Strategies for Pain Relief in Labour' discrete variable showed a Spearman's rho value of .209 (p = .011) in the total scale. In discriminating validity, the Mann-Whitney test reveals that the women who recognize interactions with the midwife have more favourable scores in Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (U = 2748.000; Z = 2.905; p = .004).

CONCLUSION

The current version in European Portuguese suggests that it is a valid and reliable measure. This study may facilitate other validation processes in Lusophony countries.

Measurement properties of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for evaluating functional status after inpatient surgery

BACKGROUND

Expert recommendations propose the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 as a core outcome measure in surgical studies, yet data on its long-term measurement properties remain limited. These were evaluated in a secondary analysis of the Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery (METS) prospective cohort.

METHODS

Participants were adults (40 years of age or older) who underwent inpatient non-cardiac surgery. The 12-item WHODAS and EQ-5DTM-3L questionnaires were administered preoperatively (in person) and 1 year postoperatively (by telephone). Responsiveness was characterized using standardized response means (SRMs) and correlation coefficients between change scores. Construct validity was evaluated using correlation coefficients between 1-year scores and comparisons of WHODAS scores across clinically relevant subgroups.

RESULTS

The analysis included 546 patients. There was moderate correlation between changes in WHODAS and various EQ-5DTM subscales. The strongest correlation was between changes in WHODAS and changes in the functional domains of the EQ-5D-3L-for example, mobility (Spearman's rho 0.40, 95 per cent confidence interval [c.i.] 0.32 to 0.48) and usual activities (rho 0.45, 95 per cent c.i. 0.30 to 0.52). When compared across quartiles of EQ-5D index change, median WHODAS scores followed expected patterns of change. In subgroups with expected functional status changes, the WHODAS SRMs ranged from 'small' to 'large' in the expected directions of change. At 1 year, the WHODAS demonstrated convergence with the EQ-5D-3L functional domains, and good discrimination between patients with expected differences in functional status.

CONCLUSION

The WHODAS questionnaire has construct validity and responsiveness as a measure of functional status at 1 year after major surgery.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Utility Scores of Posttreatment Patients with Gastric Cancer at Different Pathological Stages: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key variable in the evaluation of health economics. We aimed to evaluate the HRQoL and utility scores of patients with gastric cancer and related precancerous lesions by assessing their quality of life using a single standardized health measurement instrument. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six counties in Shangdong Province from November 2019 to March 2020. Subjects with precancerous lesions and gastric cancer (cardia and noncardia) were included and surveyed. Patients were divided into four groups: low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), early gastric cancer (EGC), and advanced gastric cancer (AGC). All patients, except those with LGIN, received treatment. The five-level EQ-5D was used to assess HRQoL and generate utility scores using the Chinese-specific tariff published in 2017. Results. The study included 566 respondents. The average utility was 0.927 for precancerous lesions (LGIN: 0.930; HGIN: 0.926), 0.906 for early gastric cancer (EGC), and 0.756 for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Visual analogue scale (VAS) means were 76.82 (LGIN: 78.08; HGIN: 74.81), 72.26, and 69.16 for precancerous lesions, EGC, and AGC, respectively. HRQoL was lower in women with AGC than in men (0.612 vs. 0.792, $P=0.035$ ). AGC patients were more likely to report problems across all five dimensions than patients in other stages. The proportion of patients reporting pain/discomfort problems was highest across all gastric cancer stages (LGIN, 35.6%; HGIN, 34.4%; EGC, 35.6%; and AGC, 55.7%), followed by anxiety/depression (LGIN, 17.5%; HGIN, 18%; EGC, 22.8%; and AGC, 47.7%). Conclusions. HRQoL declined as cancer progressed, with the most dramatic decline observed in patients with AGC. A more advanced pathological stage was associated with a greater decrease in health utility. The obtained utilities for different pathological stages of gastric cancer were significant parameters for researchers to perform further cost-utility analysis. Pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were problems that seriously affected the patients in all groups.