Assessment of the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.

Four methods of assessment of the quality of life were compared in 100 patients with advanced cancer. All showed highly significant correlations with each other. In particular, a single-item linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) which indicated the patients' general feeling of well-being showed a highly significant correlation with multiple item measures of the quality of life (interviewer-administered and self-administered versions of a 5-item quality of life index, and a 21-item LASA). The LASA indicating well-being was compared in a further 30 patients with a similar single-item LASA in which the term 'quality of life' was used. This comparison again showed a highly significant correlation. It is concluded that a single-item LASA asking the direct question "How would you rate your quality of life today?" is a valid and reliable indicator of the quality of life of patients with cancer.