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

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.

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

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: We have previously developed and reported the general module of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients (QLICP-GM). This study was to develop and evaluate the quality of life instrument for patients with stomach cancer (QLICP-ST). METHODS: The QLICP-ST was developed using the structured group methods applicable to Chinese populations. The system of QLICP-ST was evaluated by analyzing data from 86 stomach cancer patients using statistical description, Pearson's correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and paired student's t test. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability of the overall scale was 0.98 and that of each domain was greater than 0.90. The internal consistency coefficient alpha of the overall scale was 0.91 and that of each domain was higher than 0.65. Correlation analysis and the exploratory factor analysis revealed good construct validity of the QLICP-ST. Differences of the quality of life scores before and after the treatment in physical domain, psychological domain, common symptom and side effect domain, specific domain and the overall scale were significant. Moreover, the standardized response mean(SRM) of these domains were greater than 0.30. CONCLUSION: The system of QLICP-ST can be used in clinical evaluation of the quality of life for stomach cancer patients with sound validity, reliability and responsiveness.