Abstract
AB035. Validation of EORTC brain cancer module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) for assessment of health-related quality of life in glioma patients in Singapore
Yi Hui Koh1, Jaclyn Tan2, Gabriel Ang3, Kejia Teo2, Samantha Ang3, Shiong Wen Low4, David Low3, Vincent Nga2, Xuling Lin3, Tseng Tsai Yeo2, Nan Luo5, Mervyn Jun Rui Lim2
1Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore;
2Division of Neurosurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore;
3Division of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore;
4Division of Neurosurgery, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore;
5Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Correspondence to: Yi Hui Koh, Medical Student. Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore. Email: yihuikoh@u.nus.edu.
Background: Existing international data has shown that glioma patients suffer from poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) brain cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-BN20) was developed to be together with EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) for cancer patients, highlighting issues particularly relevant to brain tumor patients. It has since been translated and validated across numerous cohorts. However, its psychometric properties have yet to be examined in Singapore. This study aimed to validate the use of QLQ-BN20 in a nationally representative sample of glioma patients in Singapore.
Methods: Eighty-seven patients who had undergone neurosurgery for glioma from six hospitals in Singapore completed three self-reported measures of HRQoL (the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-BN20). Descriptive statistics summarized their characteristics and scores on the questionnaires. Psychometric properties of QLQ-BN20 examined included convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and construct validity (Spearman’s correlation). Clinical validity of QLQ-BN20 was determined based on whether QLQ-BN20 scores could differentiate patients with good and poor functional status as measured by Karnofsky Performance Scale and Barthel’s Index.
Results: The QLQ-BN20 was demonstrated to have good convergent validity (item-own scale correlation >0.70) and discriminant validity (item-own scale correlation higher than item-other scale correlation). There is high internal consistency, both overall (α=0.88) and within multi-item subscales (α=0.74–0.88). Conceptually similar subscales between different tools were more strongly correlated. For instance, the QLQ-C30 physical functioning subscale and the QLQ-BN20 motor dysfunction subscale (r=−0.65, P<0.001), and the QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning subscale and the QLQ-BN20 cognitive deficits subscale (r=−0.51, P<0.001). QLQ-BN20 was also able to distinguish between functional statuses of patients (P<0.05).
Conclusions: This study supports the validity and reliability of the EORTC QLQ-BN20 among patients with glioma in Singapore. There is good convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, construct validity, and clinical validity. The QLQ-BN20 is a valuable supplement to the QLQ-C30. Hence, we recommend expanding its use for all glioma patients and possibly brain cancer patients in Singapore.
Keywords: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL); glioma; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer brain cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BN20)
Acknowledgments
Funding: This work was supported by the Singapore Cancer Society Grant 2020 (grant number SCS-GRA-2020-00123) awarded to Dr. M.J.R.L.
Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://cco.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cco-24-ab035/coif). M.L. received the Singapore Cancer Society Grant 2020. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and approved by NHG Domain Specific Renewal Board (DSRB) (IRB No. 2020/01079). Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.
Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the noncommercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Cite this abstract as: Koh YH, Tan J, Ang G, Teo K, Ang S, Low SW, Low D, Nga V, Lin X, Yeo TT, Luo N, Lim MJR. AB035. Validation of EORTC brain cancer module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) for assessment of health-related quality of life in glioma patients in Singapore. Chin Clin Oncol 2024;13(Suppl 1):AB035. doi: 10.21037/cco-24-ab035
