Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Cachexia: Validation of the Turkish Version of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT).

OBJECTIVES

Generic cancer-related HRQoL instruments may not adequately reflect the multidimensional impact of cancer cachexia, leading to the development of the cachexia-specific Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the existing Turkish version of the FAACT in individuals with cancer cachexia.

METHODS

One hundred individuals with cancer cachexia participated. Validity and reliability were assessed using factor analysis, construct validity, known-group comparisons, Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Construct validity examined through correlations between FAACT and Body Mass Index (BMI), Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTCQLQ-C30). Known-group comparisons were based on cancer stage, BMI and KPS.

RESULTS

Factor analysis supported the five-factor structure of the Turkish FAACT, confirming its adequacy. FAACT showed significant weak-to-high correlations with EORTCQLQ-C30, BMI, KPS, and ESAS (P < .05). FAACT also discriminated between different clinical groups. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.935 for FAACT and ranged from 0.684 to 0.865 for FAACT subscales. ICCs for the FAACT total score (0.939) and subscales (0.896-0.971), indicated high to excellent reliability, with strong test-retest agreement.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the FAACT is valid, reliable and suitable tool for assessing cancer cachexia in clinical and research settings.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Cancer cachexia impairs quality of life by causing a high symptom burden and progressive loss of physical function. The cancer cachexia-specific Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) demonstrates strong validity and reliability in individuals with cancer cachexia, with significant correlations to body composition, performance status, and symptom severity. In routine nursing practice, the Turkish version of the FAACT can facilitate a comprehensive assessment of cancer cachexia, support individualized care planning, and enhance nurse-patient communication regarding cachexia-specific concerns.