Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 24, No 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 16033
© 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) translation procedure for standardized quality of life questionnaires

Center for Clinical Trials, Regensburg, Germany; Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom; EORTC QL Unit, Brussels, Belgium; Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom; North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke, United Kingdom

16033

Background: The EORTC Quality of Life (QoL) Group has developed a modular approach to QoL measurement for use in clinical trials in cancer. Questionnaires are used in international trials and standardized translation procedures are therefore required. This report summarizes the EORTC translation procedure, its accomplishments and translation problems. Methods: Translations follow a forward-backward procedure, independently carried out by two native-speakers of the target language. Discrepancies are arbitrated by a third consultant, and solutions are reached by consensus. Translated questionnaires undergo pilot-testing. Suggestions (by patients and users) are incorporated into the final questionnaire version. Most translations are performed by professional translators. The translation procedure is managed and supervised by the Translation Committee within the EORTC QoL Group. Results: To date, the core EORTC QoL questionnaire, the QLQ-C30, has been translated and validated into 62 languages, with a further 12 translations in progress. Translations include all major Western languages, East European languages, Asian languages and also remote languages, such as Xhoza (Africa).The validated, condition-specific questionnaire modules have been translated in up to 37 languages. The following major translation problems were encountered: lack of expressions for specific symptoms in various languages, the quest for formal versus informal versions, recent spelling reforms in several European countries, and different weights of social issues between Western and Eastern cultures. The EORTC measurement system is now registered for use in over 9000 clinical studies in 80 countries worldwide. Conclusions: The EORTC provides a strong infrastructure and methodology to produce high quality translations of their QoL questionnaires for use in international clinical trials. Translation problems have been identified and it will be an important topic for future research to specify whether these problems arise out of procedural/methodological shortcomings or are due to subtle cross-cultural differences in concepts of health, illness and QoL.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.