Comparing FACIT-fatigue and EORTC QLQ-FA12 for assessing the quality of life in people with cancer-related fatigue
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Nicolas H. Hart: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2794-0193
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.
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
Funders
National Health and Medical Research Council
Grant Number
NHMRC Number : APP2017080
Copyright
subscription content
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