Validation of the chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 in patients with colorectal cancer

AIM To assess the validity and reliability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Colorectal Cancer 29 (EORTC QLQ-CR29) in Chinese patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS From March 2014 to January 2015, 356 patients with CRC from four different hospitals in China were enrolled in the study, and all patients self-administered the EORTC QLQ-CR29 and the quality of life core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Evaluation of the scores was based on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were assessed by Cronbach's proportional to coefficient, the Spearman correlation test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS The EORTC QLQ-CR29 showed satisfactory reliability (proportional to > 0.7), although the urinary frequency and blood and mucus in stool dimensions had only moderate reliability (proportional to = 0.608). The multitrait scaling analyses showed good convergent (r > 0.4) and discriminant validity. Significant differences were obtained for each item in the different KPS subgroups (KPS <= 80; KPS > 80). Body image and most single- item dimensions showed statistically significant differences in patients with a stoma compared with the rest of the patients. CONCLUSION The EORTC QLQ-CR29 exhibits high validity and reliability in Chinese patients with CRC, and can therefore be recommended as a valuable tool for the assessment of quality of life in these patients.