J Pain Symptom Manage. 2023 Apr 28:S0885-3924(23)00486-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.04.023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The Quality of Life at the End of Life-Cancer Scale (QUAL-EC) is a self-reported instrument to assesses the quality of life of patients with cancer near the end of life.

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability and validity of the QUAL-EC-J, a Japanese translated version of the QUAL-EC.

METHODS: 179 Japanese patients with advanced cancer completed the QUAL-EC-J, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual questionnaires. We performed confirmatory factor analysis of the four structures of the QUAL-EC and exploratory factor analysis of the QUAL-EC-J. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α coefficient and validity was examined by calculating correlations with relevant scales.

RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis showed an inadequate fit to the original QUAL-EC structure. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure of the QUAL-EC-J, with Cronbach’s α values of 0.68-0.88. All subscales were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety. Each subscale was correlated with related measures: “symptom control” with “physical well-being”; “acceptance of disease and life” with “social and family well-being” and “meaning/peace”; and “preparation for end of life” with “emotional well-being” and “meaning/peace.”

CONCLUSIONS: The QUAL-EC-J has a three-factor structure with acceptable reliability and sufficient validity. Differences in the factor structure between the QUAL-EC-J and the QUAL-EC may be due to cultural factors. Study findings suggest that utilization of the QUAL-EC-J could help to improve research and clinical care in advanced cancer in Japan.

PMID:37121525 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.04.023