Caren Dsouza - Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Father Muller Medical College, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Vinay Rao - Associate Professor, Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, Father Muller Medical College, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Background: We aimed to test the validation of the European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires for head and neck module (QLQ-H&N35) in a tertiary care center.Methods: Forty patients with head and neck malignancy completed the QLQ-H&N35 while undergoing their treatment. Questionnaires given to them were translated into their regional language Kannada. Evaluation of the responsiveness, reliability, and validity of the questionnaire was undertaken.Results: The data assessed the reliability of the scales and not validity. The questionnaire was receptive to changes over time; however, the applicability of the European questionnaire in Indian clinical set up was debatable.Conclusions: Our data suggests that the EORTC QLO-H&N35 is reliable and responsive when applied to patients with head and neck cancer in India. Hence, it may be used as a platform to test validity at a multicentric level.

Questionnaire; Head and neck cancer; Validity; Effectiveness