Assessing Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Comparison of a Visual-Analogue and a Categorical Model

Abstract

A simple instrument for self-assessment of quality of life (QL) in patients with cancer was elaborated using a linear analogue scale (LAS). The instrument was based on five questions, exploring different functional areas; the same questions were also addressed in a parallel format, where problems were seen from an opposite point of view (positive/negative). The LAS was given to 222 patients, for a total of 372 tests collected. Internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75); QL score was significantly correlated to parameters of disease. Concordance between scales, as judged by comparison of parallel formats, was statistically significant but poor. A questionnaire was then elaborated with similar items, based on a categorical scale. A direct comparison between LAS and our questionnaire was made on a group of 41 patients. Internal consistency was poor for the LAS (alpha = 0.58) and good for the questionnaire (alpha = 0.93); Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were disappointing for the LAS and good for the questionnaire; the questionnaire was judged reliable in 82.9% of cases, the LAS in 29.3% only; the questionnaire score, and not the LAS score, was significantly correlated with PS and disease status. In conclusion, many patients appeared unable to correctly interpret the visual-analogue scale; the categorical scale was more immediate and correctly understood by the large majority of patients; the correlation between score and important parameters of QL was maintained, and internal consistency was excellent, indicating a satisfactory reliability of this instrument.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture Treatment on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot, Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial

“…The primary outcome was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), which is frequently used for the assessment of symptom severity in CIPN, and it has some documented validity in cancer patients [ 37 ]. CIPN symptom severity was assessed by asking patients to rate their average neuropathic symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, and pain, on an 11-point scale over the course of a particular day (0: no symptoms and 10: the worst possible symptoms imaginable).…”

Impact of self-reported physical activity and health promotion behaviors on lung cancer survivorship

“…These single-item assessments have become the most-used assessment in all NCI-sponsored cancer control studies [ 22 ] and have been validated extensively against more involved assessment processes [ 23 , 24 ]. Normative data have been obtained from various clinical populations enrolled in NCCTG clinical trials and from healthy participants attending an NCCTG annual meeting.…”

Electroacupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: study protocol for a pilot multicentre randomized, patient-assessor-blinded, controlled trial

“…This method has been validated in cancer patients [22,23]. Subjects will be asked to rate their average neuropathic symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and pain, on an 11-point scale (0 = no symptoms; 10 = worst possible symptoms).…”