Development of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for the EORTC QLQ-C30 dimensions - General approach and initial results for physical functioning

Morten Aagaard Petersen, Mogens Grønvold, Neil K. Aaronson, Wei-Chu Chie, Thierry Conroy, Anna Costantini, Peter Fayers, Jorunn Helbostad, Bernhard Holzner, Stein Kaasa, Susanne Singer, Galina Velikova, Teresa Young

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires should ideally be adapted to the individual patient and at the same time scores should be directly comparable across patients. This is achievable using a computerised adaptive test (CAT). Basing the CAT on an existing instrument enables measurement within an established HRQOL framework and allows backward-compatibility with studies using the original instrument. Because of these advantages the EORTC Quality of Life Group (QLG) has initiated a project to develop a CAT version of the widely used EORTC QLQ-C30. Methods: We present the EORTC QLG's strategy for developing a CAT. For each dimension of the EORTC QLQ-C30 our approach includes literature search and conceptualisation, formulation of new items, expert and patient evaluations, field-testing, and psychometric analyses of the items. The strategy is illustrated with the initial results of the development of CAT for physical functioning (PF). Results: We identified 975 PF items in the literature. Of these, 407 items were deemed relevant, i.e. measured one of the PF aspects measured by the QLQ-C30. Based on these items we developed 86 new items. Review by the EORTC CAT-project group reduced this to 66 items. Based on expert and patient evaluations several items were revised and the list was further reduced to 51 items. Conclusions: Based on the findings for PF, we believe that our approach will generate item pools that are relevant and appropriate for cancer patients. These will form the basis for a backward-compatible CAT assessing the HRQOL dimensions of the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume46
Pages (from-to)1352-1358
Number of pages7
ISSN0959-8049
Publication statusPublished - May 2010

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