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Roshankumar PatilBackground Cancer and its related treatments have a huge impact on a patient's quality of life (QOL). To measure such QOL in cancer patients, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has introduced various scales/questionnaires for various cancers. In the present study, we aimed to translate and validate high-grade Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL-HG) English questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-NHL-HG29) into Hindi and Marathi (two of the most popular Indian language) to make it available for patients and the scientific community. Materials and methods The EORTC QLQ-NHL-HG29 was translated into Hindi and Marathi languages as per EORTC guidelines. The translated questionnaire was pilot-tested in a sample of 20 patients (10 for each translation) with NHL-HG. Results After procuring required approvals from EORTC, the existing QLQ-NHL-HG29 English questionnaire was translated (forward and backward) into vernacular languages (Hindi and Marathi). Later, the translations were sent to EORTC for evaluation and all the queries raised by EORTC toward translations were discussed and included in the final questionnaires as per EORTC guidelines. On receiving approval from EORTC translation coordinator, pilot study was conducted in 20 patients. In the pilot study, 10 patients were given the Hindi questionnaire and other 10 patients were given the Marathi questionnaire. Based on the pilot testing interpretations or suggestions from the patients, all the necessary modifications were incorporated in the questionnaires and sent to EORTC for validation and approval. Conclusion Both the translations (Hindi and Marathi) submitted to the EORTC have now been approved (QLQ-NHL-HG29) by the EORTC-QOL unit and after procuring necessary permissions from the EORTC both of these translations can be used reliably in clinical practice and clinical trials to assess QOL in patients suffering from NHL-HG.
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BACKGROUND: The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is severely affecting the public health and posing a challenge to health care providers, especially working as front-line medical staff. This study was aimed to understand the psychological impact and mental burden of the present outbreak on Indian health care providers who are working at cancer care centre. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A self-reporting online questionnaire was given to the multidisciplinary staff (n=344) and their mental health was assessed using various scales via GAD-7 scale for anxiety, PHQ-9 scale for depression, ISI for insomnia, K-10 for distress, and STAI for stress along with five self-made Pandemic specific questions. RESULTS: Response rate was 91% (n=344) among 190 (55%) were male and 154 (45%) were female. The frontline and second-line workers were 178 (52%) and 166 (48%), respectively. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia and distress was observed in 62 (18%), 75 (22%), 42 (12%), and 60 (17%) of the participants, respectively. They were predominantly influenced by variables such as gender (female), education (≥graduation), co-morbidities, and level of work (frontline). Followed by other less dominant variables such as contact with patients (frequent), and working in hospital (<3 years), respectively. CONCLUSION: A mild to moderate level of psychological burden was observed in the health care providers. Overall, there is a need to address the mental health issues by providing, timely training, counselling, rotation in shifts, lowering workload and inten¬sify the awareness programmes of the staff during this COVID-19 pandemic for better outcomes and promoting resilience in the staff.
