Which EORTC QLQ-C30 and -CR29 scores are relevant for clinicians for therapy planning and decisions?

Background Colorectal cancer is associated with considerable impairment of quality of life as well as disease-specific symptoms and functional limitations. These can be assessed using standardized patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments such as the EORTC QLQ-C30 and CR29 questionnaires. To date, no systematic investigation exists regarding which of the total 35 symptoms and functional limitations captured by the EORTC questionnaires are relevant to clinicians. This study aimed to identify the dimensions of the EORTC questionnaires most relevant to clinicians in the pretherapeutic assessment of colorectal cancer patients. Methods An online survey was conducted (February–March 2021) in which clinicians from certified colorectal cancer centers were asked to rate the five most relevant scales (for colon and rectal cancer, respectively). The contacted cancer centers all participated in the EDIUM study, in which the PRO instruments were already used. The survey results were analyzed descriptively. Result Of 203 respondents, 96 took part in the survey (83 surgeons, 9 internists, 4 not specified/others). For colon, the scales “quality of life” ( n = 80), “pain” (40), “physical function” (36), “constipation” (33), and “abdominal pain” (31) were most frequently reported; for rectum, these were the scales “quality of life” (74), “fecal incontinence” (62), “pain” (27), “physical function” (25), and “constipation” (25). Conclusion The results show that in the pretherapeutic assessment of colorectal patients, the clinicians’ interest mainly focuses on the self-reported quality of life. However, in addition, colorectal cancer-specific symptoms are perceived as important, such as fecal incontinence (for rectum). The results can be used to select specific scales of PROs that are relevant in practice and for further development of these instruments.