[Development of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients: colorectal cancer (QLICP-CR)].

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Based on the development of the general module of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients (QLICP-GM), this study was to develop and evaluate a quality of life scale for patients with colorectal cancer (QLICP-CR). METHODS: A quality of life scale for colorectal cancer patients that associated with Chinese cultural background was developed. The data from 110 patients with colorectal cancer were analyzed using statistical description, Pearson Correlation, Cluster analysis, and paired t-student test to assess the instrument. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability for the scale and 5 domains were all above 0.78. Internal consistency alpha for each domain was higher than 0.85 except for the social domain (0.66) and the symptom and side effect domain (0.63). Most of the correlation coefficients between each item and its domains were above 0.6. The differences in the scores of overall scale, general module, special domain, psychological domain, and symptom and side effect domain between pre-treatment and post-treatment were significant. CONCLUSION: The QLICP-CR is reasonably valid, reliable, and responsible, and can be used to assess quality of life for the patients with colorectal cancer.