Psychometric properties and applications of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To present briefly introductions and evaluations on the constructs, psychometric properties (reliability, validity, reactivity etc.) and applications of the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients QLICP(V1.0) including 12 kinds of scales for patients with head and neck cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.Methods:Based on our measuring data from relevant patients at hospitals, the constructs, characteristics and psychometrics of the system above were analyzed and presented. Internal consistency reliability for each domain and the overall scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability through calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between the first and second assessments. The criterion-related validity was evaluated by correlating corresponding domains of two instruments. Responsiveness was assessed through comparing the mean difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatments with standardized response mean (SRM). The use agreements and literature reviews of this system were used to understand the applications of 12 kinds measurement scales.Results:The quality of life scales for 12 kinds of cancer patients of the system QLICP(V1.0) have good construct( 5 domains, 11-15 facets), reliability, validity and a certain degree of responsiveness. The internal consistency reliability Cronbach's α coefficients for the overall scale of QLICP in different cancers was from 0.67 to 0.92, and the test-retest reliability (correlation coefficient) was from 0.61 to 0.99. The criterion-related validity (correlation coefficient) was for the overall scale of QLICP in different cancers was from 0.28 to 0.89, and the responsiveness SRM was from 0.25 to 1.28. And also they were widely used in clinical practice and relevant studies for the corresponding cancers.Conclusion:The system QLICP(V1.0) is of outstanding characteristics with all psychometrics meeting requirements and better construct (clear hierarchical structure with items→ facets→ domains→ overall ), and can be used widely in clinical practice further.