Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the EORTC BIL21 questionnaire in Albanian language for the assessment of QoL in patients with BTC

Abstract

Introduction: Advanced biliary tract cancer is associated with a poor prognosis, with a median survival of less than a year. The disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited. These patients have a reduced health-related quality of life, which is a crucial factor in the decision-making for treatment options, especially in novel therapies. Although for the assessment of quality of life in medicine are available well-established and validated tools in BTC patients, in Albania, studies assessing the quality of life for this target group of patients haven’t been conducted yet.

Aim: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the EORTC BIL21 questionnaire into Albanian language.

Methodology: After obtaining permission from the EORTC team, the questionnaire was translated following their translation guidelines. Then, the questionnaire was pilot-tested in a group of 10 patients over 18 years old, with a confirmed diagnosis of biliary tract cancer.

Results: All steps of the EORTC translation guidelines have been rigorously and successfully followed. 10 patients were included in the study of the first phase, of which 6 males (60 %) and 4 females (40 %). 

Conclusion: The final version of the BIL-21 for the Albanian language approved by the EORTC can be used for research purposes by researchers in all Albanian-speaking countries in clinical practice. The conclusions reached will be an added value to clinicians, in the recognition and management of these symptoms in the early stages.

Keywords: biliary tract cancer, EORTC, QoL, questionnaire