Appearance
An international update of the EORTC questionnaire for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients: EORTC QLQ-BR45.
Literature Information
| DOI | 10.1016/j.annonc.2019.10.027 |
|---|---|
| PMID | 31959345 |
| Journal | Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology |
| Impact Factor | 65.4 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 |
| Publication Year | 2020 |
| Times Cited | 62 |
| Keywords | breast cancer, module development, patient-reported outcome (PRO), quality of life |
| Literature Type | Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review |
| ISSN | 0923-7534 |
| Pages | 283-288 |
| Issue | 31(2) |
| Authors | V Bjelic-Radisic, F Cardoso, D Cameron, E Brain, K Kuljanic, R A da Costa, T Conroy, E C Inwald, S Serpentini, M Pinto, J Weis, O Morag, G Lindviksmoen Astrup, K A Tomaszweksi, K Pogoda, P Sinai, M Sprangers, N Aaronson, G Velikova, E Greimel, J Arraras, A Bottomley |
TL;DR
This study updates the EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients, reflecting changes in treatment since its original development in 1996. The revised EORTC QLQ-BR45 module includes 45 items, incorporating 22 new issues related to modern therapies, thereby enhancing the instrument's relevance and comprehensiveness for clinical use.
Search for more papers on MaltSci.com
breast cancer · module development · patient-reported outcome (PRO) · quality of life
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR23 was one of the first disease-specific questionnaires developed in 1996 to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer (BC). However, since 1996 major changes in BC treatment have occurred, requiring an update of the EORTC BC module. This study presents the results of the phase I-III update of the QLQ-BR23 questionnaire.
PATIENTS AND METHODS The update of the EORTC QLQ-BR23 module followed standard EORTC guidelines. A systematic literature review revealed 83 potential relevant QoL issues during phases I and II. After shortening the issues list and following interviews with patients and health care providers, 15 relevant issues were transformed into 27 items. The preliminary module was pretested in an international, multicentre phase III study to identify and solve potential problems with wording comprehensibility and acceptability of the items. Descriptive statistics are provided. Analyses were qualitative and quantitative. We provide a psychometric structure of the items.
RESULTS The phase I and II results indicated the need to supplement the original QLQ-BR23 with additional items related to newer therapeutic options. The phase III study recruited a total of 250 patients (from 12 countries). The final updated phase III module contains a total of 45 items: 23 items from the QLQ-BR23 and 22 new items. The new items contain two multi-item scales: a target symptom scale and a satisfaction scale. The target symptom scale can be divided into three subscales: endocrine therapy, endocrine sexual and skin/mucosa scale.
CONCLUSION Our work has led to the development of a new EORTC QLQ-BR45 module that provides a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the impact of new and scalable treatments on patients' QoL. The final version of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 is currently available for use in clinical practice. The final phase IV study is underway to confirm psychometric properties of the module.
MaltSci.com AI Research Service
Intelligent ReadingAnswer any question about the paper and explain complex charts and formulas
Locate StatementsFind traces of a specific claim within the paper
Add to KBasePerform data extraction, report drafting, and advanced knowledge mining
Primary Questions Addressed
- How does the EORTC QLQ-BR45 compare to other quality of life assessment tools used in breast cancer research?
- What specific new therapeutic options were identified as relevant during the update of the QLQ-BR23?
- In what ways do the new multi-item scales in the QLQ-BR45 enhance the understanding of patient experiences compared to the original QLQ-BR23?
- How will the psychometric properties of the QLQ-BR45 be evaluated in the ongoing phase IV study?
- What implications does the updated QLQ-BR45 have for clinical practice in managing breast cancer patients' quality of life?
Key Findings
Key Insights
Research Background and Purpose: The EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire, developed in 1996, was one of the pioneering tools for assessing quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, significant advancements in BC treatment modalities necessitated an update to this questionnaire to ensure it accurately reflects current patient experiences. The primary objective of this study was to revise and enhance the EORTC QLQ-BR23, resulting in the creation of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module, which incorporates contemporary treatment factors impacting patient QoL.
Main Methods and Findings: The update process adhered to established EORTC guidelines, beginning with a systematic literature review that identified 83 relevant QoL issues in phases I and II. Following patient and healthcare provider interviews, these issues were distilled into 27 items for assessment. A multicentric phase III study involving 250 patients across 12 countries was conducted to pretest the revised module, focusing on the clarity and acceptability of the items. The final EORTC QLQ-BR45 module comprises 45 items, including 23 from the original QLQ-BR23 and 22 new items. Notably, the new items include a target symptom scale and a satisfaction scale, with the former containing three subscales related to endocrine therapy, sexual health, and skin/mucosal conditions.
Core Conclusion: The development of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module represents a significant advancement in the assessment of QoL for breast cancer patients. By integrating contemporary treatment options and addressing previously overlooked symptoms, the updated questionnaire provides a more robust and comprehensive tool for evaluating the impacts of treatment on patients' lives. The final version of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 is now available for clinical use, with further validation studies underway to establish its psychometric properties.
Research Significance and Impact: The EORTC QLQ-BR45 holds substantial significance for both clinical practice and research in oncology. By capturing a broader spectrum of QoL issues, it aids healthcare professionals in understanding the multifaceted effects of breast cancer treatments, thereby enhancing patient-centered care. The updated module can facilitate better communication between patients and providers regarding treatment-related symptoms and satisfaction, ultimately leading to improved management strategies. Furthermore, the ongoing validation studies will ensure the reliability and relevance of the tool, reinforcing its utility in both clinical trials and routine practice, thus contributing to the overall advancement of breast cancer care.
Literatures Citing This Work
- Evaluating a digital tool for supporting breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol (ADAPT). - Emma Lidington;Sophie E McGrath;Jillian Noble;Susannah Stanway;Amanda Lucas;Kabir Mohammed;Winette van der Graaf;Olga Husson - Trials (2020)
- Quality of Life Indicators in Patients Operated on for Breast Cancer in Relation to the Type of Surgery-A Retrospective Cohort Study of Women in Serbia. - Predrag Kovačević;Snežana Miljković;Aleksandar Višnjić;Jefta Kozarski;Radmilo Janković - Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2020)
- Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: review of reviews from 2008 to 2018. - Parisa Mokhtari-Hessari;Ali Montazeri - Health and quality of life outcomes (2020)
- Cost effectiveness of breast cancer screening and prevention: a systematic review with a focus on risk-adapted strategies. - Nikolai Mühlberger;Gaby Sroczynski;Artemisa Gogollari;Beate Jahn;Nora Pashayan;Ewout Steyerberg;Martin Widschwendter;Uwe Siebert - The European journal of health economics : HEPAC : health economics in prevention and care (2021)
- Patients-centered SurvivorShIp care plan after Cancer treatments based on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence technologies (PERSIST): a multicenter study protocol to evaluate efficacy of digital tools supporting cancer survivors. - Izidor Mlakar;Simon Lin;Ilona Aleksandraviča;Krista Arcimoviča;Jānis Eglītis;Mārcis Leja;Ángel Salgado Barreira;Jesús G Gómez;Mercedes Salgado;Jesús G Mata;Doroteja Batorek;Matej Horvat;Maja Molan;Maja Ravnik;Jean-François Kaux;Valérie Bleret;Catherine Loly;Didier Maquet;Elena Sartini;Urška Smrke - BMC medical informatics and decision making (2021)
- Cancer-Related Alopecia: From Etiologies to Global Management. - Stanislas Quesada;Alexandre Guichard;Frédéric Fiteni - Cancers (2021)
- Health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: a review of measures. - Maribel Salas;Margaret Mordin;Colleen Castro;Zahidul Islam;Nora Tu;Michelle D Hackshaw - BMC cancer (2022)
- Developing the Breast Utility Instrument, a preference-based instrument to measure health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer: Confirmatory factor analysis of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR45 to establish dimensions. - Teresa C O Tsui;Maureen Trudeau;Nicholas Mitsakakis;Sofia Torres;Karen E Bremner;Doyoung Kim;Aileen M Davis;Murray D Krahn - PloS one (2022)
- A graphical LASSO analysis of global quality of life, sub scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument and depression in early breast cancer. - Paula Poikonen-Saksela;Eleni Kolokotroni;Leena Vehmanen;Johanna Mattson;Georgios Stamatakos;Riikka Huovinen;Pirkko-Liisa Kellokumpu-Lehtinen;Carl Blomqvist;Tiina Saarto - Scientific reports (2022)
- A phase III randomized trial of weight loss to reduce cancer-related fatigue among overweight and obese breast cancer patients: MEDEA Study design. - Antonio Di Meglio;Elise Martin;Tracy E Crane;Cecile Charles;Aude Barbier;Bruno Raynard;Anthony Mangin;Olivier Tredan;Carole Bouleuc;Paul H Cottu;Laurence Vanlemmens;Carine Segura-Djezzar;Anne Lesur;Barbara Pistilli;Florence Joly;Thomas Ginsbourger;Bernadette Coquet;Iris Pauporte;Guillemette Jacob;Aude Sirven;Julia Bonastre;Jennifer A Ligibel;Stefan Michiels;Ines Vaz-Luis - Trials (2022)
... (52 more literatures)
© 2025 MaltSci - We reshape scientific research with AI technology
