Comparing FACIT-fatigue and EORTC QLQ-FA12 for assessing the quality of life in people with cancer-related fatigue
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Purpose of review: Two common quality of life (QoL) questionnaires for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) are the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Fatigue 12 (QLQ-FA12) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). This systematic review compared their content, validity, and psychometric properties. Recent findings: Twenty-four studies were included. The QLQ-FA12 (12 items) provides physical, emotional, and cognitive subscales, while the FACIT-Fatigue (13 items) captures self-reported fatigue and its impact on daily function. Both instruments demonstrated validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and sensitivity. Construct validity was supported by correlations with QoL and physical-function measures, and confirmatory factor analyses upheld their intended dimensional structures. The QLQ-FA12’s 4-point question format offers distinct domain scores, whereas the FACIT-Fatigue’s 5-point statement format yields a single total score. The QLQ-FA12 is preferred when a multidimensional profile is needed, such as in trials addressing specific fatigue drivers or pairing with QLQ-C30 domains. The FACIT-Fatigue suits brief screening or large-scale studies where efficiency and a single total fatigue score are priorities. Summary: The EORTC QLQ-FA12 and FACIT-Fatigue are both sufficiently validated for assessing CRF-related QoL. The QLQ-FA12 is more appropriate when a multidimensional profile is required, whereas FACIT-Fatigue suits contexts needing a unidimensional total severity score.
Keywords
Cancer-related fatigue, EORTC QLQ-FA12, FACIT-fatigue, quality of life
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
PubMed ID
41460165
Publication Title
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer
School
Exercise Medicine Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funding received from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
APP2017080
Copyright
subscription content
Content Type
Metadata only
Recommended Citation
Zhang, B., Randhawa, A., Patel, A., Bruera, E., Hart, N. H., Bottomley, A., Cella, D., Al-Khaifi, M., Patel, P., Chow, E., & Wong, H. C. (2025). Comparing FACIT-fatigue and EORTC QLQ-FA12 for assessing the quality of life in people with cancer-related fatigue. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 20(1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000791
Comments
Zhang, B., Randhawa, A., Patel, A., Bruera, E., Hart, N. H., Bottomley, A., Cella, D., Al-Khaifi, M., Patel, P., Chow, E., & Wong, H. C. (2025). Comparing FACIT-fatigue and EORTC QLQ-FA12 for assessing the quality of life in people with cancer-related fatigue. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 20(1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000791