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The Physical Function and Social-Emotional Function Subscales of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The Physical Function and Social-Emotional Function Subscales of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire

Simon N. Rogers, Derek Lowe, Bevan Yueh and Ernest A. Weymuller
Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, Vol.136(4), pp.352-357
04/01/2010
DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2010.32
PMID: 20403851

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Abstract

Objectives: To perform a factor analysis using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 (UW-QOLv4) to establish subscales; to report their normative values and variations for patients by age, sex, extent of disease, and time from treatment; and to estimate clinical effect sizes and potential for use in comparative treatment studies. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Regional Maxillofacial Unit, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, England. Patients: Patients with primary oral and oropharyngeal cancer treated by surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy since 1992. A database accumulating since 1995 contains more than 2600 UW-QOLs completed by these patients. A data set of 372 patients without cancer attending 10 general dental practices provided normative data. Main Outcome Measures: UW-QOLv4. Results: Factor analysis indicated a 2-factor solution: (1) physical function, involving chewing, swallowing, speech, taste, saliva, and appearance, and (2) social-emotional function, involving anxiety, mood, pain, activity, recreation, and shoulder function. The best scores were for those with less advanced oral cancer tumors not requiring free-flap surgery or adjuvant radiotherapy. Older patients reported better scores, but associations were weak, and no sex differences were found. Significant differences were seen for T category, site, free-flap surgery, and adjuvant radiotherapy (P < .001). Preoperative scores were close to normative values. Patients regain social-emotional deficits by 1 year after surgery but continue with significant deficits in physical function. Comparative studies using these UW-QOL subscales as outcome measures should recruit at least 80 patients per treatment arm to detect moderately sized treatment effects. Conclusion: With the UW-QOLv4, it is appropriate to analyze and report outcomes using the 2 subscales of physical and social-emotional function.
 Life Sciences & Biomedicine Otorhinolaryngology Science & Technology Surgery

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