Development and Validation of a Thyroid Cancer-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adult Filipinos with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Objectives. The study aims to develop and validate a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire for adult Filipinos with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that can be used in combination with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 Questionnaire. Methodology. The study had 4 phases. Phase I involved generation of HRQoL issues from literature review, focus group discussions with 6 DTC patients and 5 health care professionals (HCP). Subsequent assessment for relevance and importance of the HRQoL issues by 20 patients and HCP panel was done. Phase II was formulation of the HRQoL issues into questionnaire and subsequent translation into Filipino. Phase III was pilot testing of the questionnaire in 15 patients. Phase IV was validation of the pre-final questionnaire in 231 patients. Results. In Phase I, 28 HRQoL issues were generated. In Phase II, a 28-item Filipino questionnaire was created. In Phase III, 22 items that were not upsetting or confusing to patients and with good range of responses were retained. After Phase IV, a 22-item questionnaire with 5 conceptual scales (perceived fears, psychological distress/anxiety, functionality, voice complaints, neck complaints) was created. Conclusions. The developed and validated 22-item questionnaire can be used to assess HRQoL issues in adult Filipinos with DTC.