Health related quality of life assessment instruments: A prospective study on preference and acceptability among cancer patients referred for radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to determine the preferences for and acceptability of existing Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaires among cancer patients. Sixty-two patients completed a set of questionnaires. Criteria were the percentage of missing values, difficult items and the preferences for the answer options. Results indicated small proportions of missing values and difficult items for the EORTC QLQ-C30, the MFI, RSCL, and the MQ (0.0-1.0%). Considerably higher proportions of missing values and difficult items were found for the VAS and the PFS (2.5-3.4%). The answer option of the RSCL subscale 'activity level' was most preferred (29% of subjects), whereas the VAS and PFS were least preferred (19% and 21%, respectively). Our results indicate that patients prefer answer categories that have descriptors in words or a narrow range of answer options, rather than non-described answer options or a broad range of answer options per question. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.