Preliminary psychometric validation of the Polish version of the EORTC elderly module (QLQ-ELD14).

AIM: The aim of our study was to report preliminary validation data on the EORTC translated, Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 questionnaire to show that this tool is an acceptable and psychometrically robust measure to collect HRQoL data in Polish elderly patients with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histological confirmation of primary cancer were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 module in addition to EORTC QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standardized validity and reliability analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (41 females - 63.1%) were enrolled into the study, with a mean age of 76.4 ± 5.7 years. Cronbach alpha coefficients, range 0.70-0.84, showed positive internal consistency. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. Strong correlations were observed between the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 (especially mobility and burden of illness), and the EORTC QLQ-C30 (r = -0.30-(-0.83); p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Basing on the preliminary data from this study, the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 module is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in elderly cancer patients. However further research is needed to establish the full psychometric properties of the described module, especially in regards to test-retest and responsiveness over time.