A systematic review of the use and validation of health-related quality of life instruments in older cancer patients.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to systematically review the use and validation of HRQOL instruments in older cancer patients.

Method: A systematic review of 5 databases and 3 research registers identified studies reporting the use and validation of HRQOL instruments in cancer patients aged over 65 years from 1995 to mid 2007.

Results: Thirty-one studies reported the use of HRQOL measures in older people, using a range of generic and disease-specific instruments. Little work was reported in patients aged over 80 years. All studies exhibited methodological limitations. Fourteen studies were identified with variable evidence on the psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of identified instruments.

Conclusion: Our review identified that the development, validation and use of HRQOL instruments often ignore the specific needs of older people. This review highlights the need for a HRQOL instrument specifically designed to capture the issues and concerns most relevant to older cancer patients.