Quality of life of patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan: validation and clinical application of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐STO22

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Abstract
The relatively high incidence of gastric cancer in Taiwan warranted the need of a disease‐specific quality of life (QOL) instrument. We translated the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐STO22 according to the guidelines from the EORTC. A total of 100 patients were interviewed. Convergent and discriminant validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and known‐groups comparisons were used to examine the reliability and validity. We found good reliability for multi‐item subscales of the QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐STO22 (Cronbach's alpha coefficient: 0.70–0.94) except cognitive functioning of the QLQ‐C30 and eating restriction of the QLQ‐STO22. Patients in the active treatment group experienced compromised functional status and worse treatment‐associated symptoms than those in the follow‐up group. Similar results were found in comparisons based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status and dysphagia grades. The study has ascertained the cross‐cultural validity, reliability and clinical applicability of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐STO22. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.