Spiritual well-being correlates with quality of life of both cancer and non-cancer patients in palliative care -further validation of EORTC QLQ-SWB32 in Finnish

Abstract

Background: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has developed the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-SWB32) for assessment of spirituality in palliative care for cancer. We aimed to translate and validate this tool in Finnish and to study the relationship between spirituality and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Finnish translation was produced according to the guidelines of EORTC and included forward- and back-translations. Face-, construct- and convergence/divergence validity and reliability were studied in a prospective manner. QOL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30 and 15D questionnaires.Sixteen individuals participated in the pilot testing. 101 patients with cancer from oncology units, and 89 individuals with other chronic diseases from spiritual communities participated in the validation part in different parts of the country. Sixteen people participated in the retest phase. Inclusion criteria were that the individual had either a defined palliative care plan or suitability to a such plan, as well as capability to understand and communicate in Finnish. Results: The translation appeared understandable and acceptable. The factorial analysis identified four scoring scales with high Cronbach alfa values: Relationship with Self (0.73), Relationship with Others (0.84), Relationship with Something Greater (0.82), Existential (0.81), and, additionally, a scale on Relationship with God (0.85). There was a significant correlation between spiritual well-being and QOL in all participants. Conclusions: Spiritual well-being is correlated with QOL in cancer and non-cancer patients eligible for palliative care. The Finnish translation of EORTC QLQ-SWB32 is a valid and reliable measure both for research and clinical practice.

Spiritual well-being, symptoms and performance of patients under palliative care

“…Studies indicate that spiritual well-being is related to better quality of life and lower incidence of physical and emotional symptoms. A recent study in Finland showed a correlation between spiritual well-being and quality of life in patients with and without cancer eligible for palliative care ( 10 ) . Another cross-sectional study in Portugal, with 95 patients receiving palliative care, reported that spiritual well-being was significantly correlated with higher levels of physical, emotional and functional well-being, in addition to better quality of life ( 11 ) .…”

Bem-estar espiritual, sintomas e funcionalidade de pacientes em cuidados paliativos

“…Estudos indicam que o bem-estar espiritual está relacionado à melhor qualidade de vida e menor incidência de sintomas físicos e emocionais. Um estudo recente na Finlândia mostrou correlação entre o bem-estar espiritual e a qualidade de vida em doentes com e sem câncer elegíveis para cuidados paliativos (10) . Outro estudo transversal em Portugal, com 95 doentes com cuidados paliativos, relatou que o bem-estar espiritual se correlacionou significativamente com níveis mais elevados de bem-estar físico, emocional e funcional, além de melhor qualidade de vida (11) .…”