The development of an EORTC quality of life questionnaire to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: the QLQ-CIPN20.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common phenomenon, often resulting in serious limitations in daily functioning and compromised quality of life. Currently available toxicity grading systems typically use a combination of clinical and paraclinical parameters and relies on the judgment of clinicians and/or nurses. However, because many of the symptoms of CIPN are subjective in nature, it is only logical that an assessment of CIPN be based, at least in part, on patient self-report data. We report on the development of a patient self-report questionnaire, the CIPN20, intended to supplement the core quality of life questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Following EORTC guidelines, relevant CIPN-related issues were identified from a literature survey and interviews with health professionals (n=15) and patients (n=112). The resulting 20-item questionnaire was pre-tested in three languages and four countries and is currently being examined in a large, international clinical trial. The EORTC CIPN20 should provide valuable information on CIPN-related symptoms and functional limitations of patients exposed to potentially neurotoxic chemotherapeutic and/or neuroprotective agents.