Comparision of EQ-5D and FACT-G Scales in the Evaluation of Quality of Life in Colombian Cancer Patients

Objective: To evaluate patterns of correlations between the different dimensions of a scale measuring quality of life (FACT-G) and one that measures perceived health and quality of life (EQ-5D) in cancer patients. Methods: A descriptive study that evaluated 114 patients with confirmed cancer of breast (40=35.09%), gastric (26=22.8%), prostate (22=19.3%), colon-rectal (17=14.91%). Diagnosis was made at the National Cancer Institute of Colombia, to whom applied the FACT-G and EQ-5D scale. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the variables, methods of multivariate analysis, factor analysis and multidimensional scaling were used to assess patterns of correlation between the variables of each of the two scales used. Results: The dimensions that showed acceptable correlation values were physical well-being and emotional well-being of the FACT-G with anxiety and depression of the EQ-5D scale. Factor analysis yielded two factors: (a) anxiety / depression or the EQ-5D is better grouped with the components of the FACT-G, and (b) physical symptoms of FACT-G with the components of the EQ-5D. Multidimensional scaling analysis suggested that each scale measured different dimensions of the construct quality of life. Conclusion: The FACT-G is oriented to emotional and social interaction, while the EQ-5D is oriented to aspects of physical and functionality.