Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of the Serbian version of the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QoL) Questionnaire – a pilot study

Dragana Stanisšić; Dragana  Daković; Ružica Kozomara; Raša  Mladenović; Sara  Mijailović; Milica  Djurdjević; Dejan  Jovanović; Sanja  Vujović

doi:10.2298/VSP231020002S

Dragana Stanisšić University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dragana Daković University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade
Ružica Kozomara University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade
Raša Mladenović University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Sara Mijailović University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Milica Djurdjević University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dejan Jovanović University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
Sanja Vujović University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP231020002S

Keywords: head and neck neoplasms;, oral health;, quality of life;, serbia;, surveys and questionnaires

Abstract

Background/Aim. The University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QoL) questionnaire is one of the most frequently applied instruments for the evaluation of the health-related quality of life of head and neck cancer patients worldwide. The aim of this study was to perform a formal translation of the original version into the Serbian language, assess its psychometric properties, and validate it for use in the Serbian-speaking population. Methods. The study was designed as pilot research and conducted between August and October 2023. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was established by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (CA). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was a measure of temporal stability. The construct validity of the instrument was assessed by correlating its total scores with Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire results. Results. A total of 30 patients (23 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 58.07 ± 13.59 years were enrolled in the research. Mean values of the physical function and social-emotional function subscales were 59.50 ± 12.68 and 55.39 ± 15.26 (the researchers interviewed the participants) and 58.78 ± 12.57 and 57.72 ± 14.91 (the patients completed the questionnaire by themselves). CA value of the Serbian version of the UW-QoL questionnaire was 0.816 (the questionnaire was filled out by the researchers) and 0.802 (the subjects completed it on their own). ICC was 0.797. There was a statistically significant strong correlation between the UW-QoL questionnaire and OHIP-14 total scores. The obtained results showed a weak, non-significant correlation between the UW-QoL questionnaire and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Conclusion. Our pilot research showed that the Serbian version of the UW-QoL questionnaire appears as psychometrically valid and reliable as the original English version.

References

Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration; Fitzmaurice C, Allen C, Barber RM, Barregard L, Bhutta ZA, et al. Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-years for 32 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2015: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. JAMA Oncol 2017; 3(4): 524–48.

Sharma Y, Mishra G, Parikh V. Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 71(Suppl 1): 927–32.

Wan Leung S, Lee TF, Chien CY, Chao PJ, Tsai WL, Fang FM. Health-related quality of life in 640 head and neck cancer survivors after radiotherapy using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires. BMC Cancer 2011; 11: 128.

Alfouzan AF. Radiation therapy in head and neck cancer. Saudi Med J 2021; 42(3): 247–54.

Nazar G, Garmendia ML, Royer M, McDowell JA, Weymuller EA Jr, Yueh B. Spanish validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire for head and neck cancer patients. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010; 143(6): 801–7, 807. e1–2.

Hammermüller C, Hinz A, Dietz A, Wichmann G, Pirlich M, Berger T, et al. Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life in a large sample of patients suffering from head and neck cancer in comparison with the general population. BMC Cancer 2021; 21(1): 94.

Moschopoulou E, Hutchison I, Bhui K, Korszun A. Post-traumatic stress in head and neck cancer survivors and their partners. Support Care Cancer 2018; 26(9): 3003–11.

Senchak JJ, Fang CY, Bauman JR. Interventions to improve quality of life (QOL) and/or mood in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC): a review of the evidence. Cancers Head Neck 2019; 4: 2.

Ringash J, Bezjak A. A structured review of quality of life instruments for head and neck cancer patients. Head Neck 2001; 23(3): 201–13.

Rogers SN, Lowe D, Yueh B, Weymuller EA Jr. The physical function and social-emotional function subscales of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010; 136(4): 352–7.

Wild D, Grove A, Martin M, Eremenco S, McElroy S, Verjee-Lorenz A, et al. Principles of good practice for the translation and cultural adaptation process for Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) measures: report of the ISPOR task force for translation and cultural adaptation. Value Health 2005; 8(2): 94–104.

Rogers SN, Lowe D. Health-related quality of life after oral cancer treatment: 10-year outcomes. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2020; 130(2): 144–9.

Vartanian JG, Carvalho AL, Yueh B, Priante AV, de Melo RL, Correia LM, et al. Long-term quality-of-life evaluation after head and neck cancer treatment in a developing country. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004; 130(10): 1209–13.

Lee YH, Lai YH, Yueh B, Chu PY, Chen YJ, Chen SC, et al. Validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Chinese Version (UWQOL-C) for head and neck cancer patients in Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc 2017; 116(4): 249–56.

Lekić M, Daković D, Kovačević V, Čutović T, Ilić I, Ilić M. Testing of the Serbian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire among professional members of the Serbian Armed Forces. Vojnosanit Pregl 2021; 78(12): 1257–62.

Popov S, Janičić B, Dinić B. Validation of the Serbian adaptation of the Emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ). Primenj Psihol 2016; 9(1): 63–81.

Janković SM, Bogavac-Stanojević N, Mikulić I, Izetbegović S, Iličković I, Krajnović D, et al. A questionnaire for rating health-related quality of life. Zdr Varst 2021; 60(4): 260–8.

Adnane C, Oubahmane T, Adouly T, Elhani L, Rouadi S, Abada RL, et al. Cross-cultural and Moroccan Validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2016; 125(2): 151–9.

Linardoutsos G, Rapidis AD, Lowe D, Bramis I, Rogers SN. Development of the Greek version of the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire for patients with head and neck cancer. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2014; 42(5): 601–7.

Vartanian JG, Carvalho AL, Yueh B, Furia CL, Toyota J, McDowell JA, et al. Brazilian-Portuguese validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2006; 28(12): 1115–21.

Vujović S, Desnica J, Mijailović S, Milovanović D. Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of the Serbian version of the PSS-QoL questionnaire – a pilot research. Vojnosanit Pregl 2023; 80(6): 493–9.