Comparison of health-related quality of life questionnaires in ambulatory oncology

The purpose of this study is to compare three commonly used health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) questionnaires for their ease of use, accuracy, and patient preference; identify factors related to patient preference; identify differences in patient completion rates; and to identify factors associated with patient completion of these questionnaires. Three psychometrically sound measures, the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS), Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT), were tested. Seventy-nine patients completed questionnaires in the ambulatory oncology setting. No significant differences in patient ratings were found in ease of use and accuracy among the questionnaires. All of the questionnaires were rated as easy to use and accurate. Patient ratings on preference were marginally significant (p=0.07). Forty-six percent of participants indicated that they preferred the SDS, whereas 27 and 39 preferred the SF-36 and the FACT. No significant differences in patient completion rates were found among the questionnaires. One hundred percent completion rates ranged from 88.6 for the SDS to 78.5 for the SF-36, and 80 completion rates ranged from 98.7 for the SDS to 94.9 for the SF-36. Administration of standardized HR-QOL questionnaires is feasible in the clinical setting.