Validation of the Mexican-Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 questionnaires to assess health-related quality of life in Mexican women with breast cancer

CEREZO O., OÑATE‐OCAÑA L.F., ARRIETA‐JOFFE P., GONZÁLEZ‐LARA F., GARCÍA‐PASQUEL M.J., BARGALLÓ‐ROCHA E. & VILAR‐COMPTE D. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care21, 684–691 Validation of the Mexican‐Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and BR23 questionnaires to assess health‐related quality of life in Mexican women with breast cancer The aim of this study was to validate the Mexican‐Spanish version of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐BR23 questionnaire. The translation procedure followed EORTC guidelines. QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐BR23 instruments were completed by Mexican women with breast cancer, attending a teaching referral cancer centre from February 2009 to January 2010. Patients were divided in two groups: (1) Patients with early stage of breast cancer; and (2) Patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Reliability and validity tests were performed, and validity over time (responsiveness) was conducted in a subset of patients. Two hundred and thirty‐four women (mean age, 52.3 years) completed both questionnaires. Convergent and divergent validity was adequate. Cronbach's alpha of all multi‐item scales showed values ≥0.7 except for Cognitive and Breast symptoms scales (0.52 and 0.65 respectively). Patients with early stages (n= 77) showed better functional scores and lower symptoms scores than patients with LABC (n= 157). Score means variation after responsiveness analysis demonstrated high sensitivity to change after breast cancer surgery. The Mexican‐Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ‐BR23 questionnaire is a valid and suitable instrument to estimate HRQL in patients with breast cancer.