Flowchart of model development.

Abstract

The grey rectangles display the three predictor sets with their criteria; the white rectangles the different models. The squares indicate the assessment of the models during model comparison; the rhombuses indicate the decision-making in the process. Assessment of the model performance is displayed with a dotted line. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 scales included in the predictor sets are highlighted in grey circles. The scales that were excluded are colored white. Abbreviations: AL, appetite loss; Cough, coughing; CF, cognitive functioning; CP, constipation; DH, diarrhea; DP, dyspnea; DM, dry mouth; EF, emotional functioning; EORTC, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer; EQ-5D-3L, three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire; FD, financial difficulties; FG, fatigue; FI, felt ill; FT, feeding tube; GHS/QoL, global health status/quality of life; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; IS, insomnia; LS, less sexuality; NT, nutritional supplements; NV, nausea and vomiting; OLS, ordinary least-squares, OM, opening mouth; PF, physical functioning; PK, pain killers; Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30; QLQ-H&N35, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck35; RF, role functioning; SC, trouble with social contact; SE, trouble with social eating; SpP, speech problems; SeP, senses problems; SL, swallowing; SF, social functioning; SS, sticky saliva; WG, weight gain; WL, weight loss.</p