Content validation of the FACT-Br with patients and health-care professionals to assess quality of life in patients with brain metastases

摘要

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the content validity of the FACT-Brain (FACT-Br) in patients with brain metastases.Methods Patients with brain metastases and health-care professionals (HCPs) involved in their care completed the FACT-Br. Participants were also asked whether each item in this quality of life (QOL) questionnaire was relevant. A structured interview followed which asked respondents about any further issues not covered, or items that were difficult, irrelevant or upsetting. Results Fifty patients and 37 HCPs were included. For all of the FACT-Br items, the majority of the patients stated that they were related to brain metastases; 17/23 items were rated by >50 % of HCPs as being relevant. A little over 50 % (51-59 %) of HCPs stated "bothered by drop in contribution to the family", "able to put thoughts together", "able to put thoughts into action", "fear of having a seizure", "bothered by change in personality", and "able to write as before" should not be included in the final questionnaire. For patients, all items were nearly unanimously rated as being relevant. None of the items were consistently reported as being difficult, irrelevant or upsetting by patients or HCPs; however, a few patients mentioned emotional items were hard to answer. Of the few identified additional issues not covered by the FACT-Br, no single issue was mentioned by more than 6 % of patients. Overall the FACT-Br was well-received by patients and health-care professionals. Conclusions Patients and HCPs agree that FACT-Br items are relevant to patients with brain metastases. This first step is important in standardising QOL assessment in this population. Future studies should use the FACT-Br for evaluation of quality of life in patients with brain metastases.