Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cross-sectional construct validity of the Malay-translated and cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N (v 4.0) questionnaire for Malaysian oral cancer patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of adults newly diagnosed with oral cancer. HRQOL data were collected using the Malay-translated FACT-H&N (v 4.0), a global question and a supplementary set of eight questions (maq) obtained earlier in pilot work (cross-cultural adaptation process). Results: 76 patients (61.8% female; 23.7% younger than 50) participated. Most (96.1%) had squamous cell carcinoma; Two-thirds were seen in stages III or IV. Patients' mean FACT summary and subscale scores were towards the higher end of the range at baseline. Equal proportions (36.8%) of participants rated their overall HRQOL as ‘good' or ‘average'; fewer than one-quarter as ‘poor' and only 2 patients as ‘very good'. FACT summary and subscale scores had moderate to good internal consistency. Subscale Cronbach alpha values were acceptable. Cross-sectional construct validity was noted between FACT summary scores, the head and neck subscale and the maq scores with 1) patients' self-rated HRQOL groups and 2) the extent of tumor. FACT summary scales correlated strongly with each other (r>0.75).
Conclusion: The Malay-translated and cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N (v 4.0) demonstrated adequate cross-sectional construct validity and thus appear appropriate for further use among oral cancer patients in Malaysia.