An international field study of the EORTC QLQ-PR25: a questionnaire for assessing the health-related quality of life of patients with prostate cancer

Eur J Cancer. 2008 Nov;44(16):2418-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.07.030. Epub 2008 Sep 5.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the psychometrics of the EORTC QLQ-PR25, a questionnaire assessing the health-related quality of life of prostate cancer patients.

Methods: The QLQ-PR25 and the QLQ-C30 were administered to 642 prostate cancer patients from 13 countries treated with curative or palliative intent. The QLQ-PR25 assesses urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms and functioning, and the side-effects of hormonal treatment.

Results: Five hundred and nine patients were available for the final analysis. Multitrait scaling analyses confirmed the hypothesised scale structure of the QLQ-PR25. Internal consistency reliability was good (coefficient alpha=0.70-0.86) for the urinary symptoms and sexual function scales, but lower for the bowel function and side-effects of hormonal treatment scales (alpha<0.70). The module discriminated clearly between clinically distinct patient subgroups, and was responsive to changes in health status over time.

Conclusion: In general, the QLQ-PR25 demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties and clinical validity. Some caution should be used in interpreting the bowel function and side-effects of hormonal therapy scales; results can be reported at the individual item and scale level.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Urinary Incontinence / etiology