Quality of Life in Children with Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Lillian Sung, Klaassen R J, Dix D, Pritchard S, Yanofsky R, Dzolganovski B, Almeida R, Klassen A
Primary Institution: The Hospital for Sick Children
Hypothesis
What factors predict the quality of life in children receiving active treatment for cancer?
Conclusion
Children with cancer experience varying levels of physical, emotional, and social quality of life influenced by their treatment and family circumstances.
Supporting Evidence
- Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had better physical health.
- Intensive chemotherapy treatment was associated with poor physical quality of life.
- Siblings with chronic conditions negatively impacted the child's quality of life.
- Better emotional health was linked to good prognosis and less intensive chemotherapy treatment.
- Female children had poorer social quality of life.
Takeaway
This study looked at how kids with cancer feel during treatment. It found that some kids feel worse than others, and things like having a sibling with health problems can make it harder for them.
Methodology
This was a multi-institutional cross-sectional study where parents reported on their child's quality of life using the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core scales.
Potential Biases
Potential bias exists due to reliance on parent proxy reports, which may not fully capture the child's perspective.
Limitations
The study relied solely on parent-reported quality of life, which may differ from child self-reports, and the prognosis and intensity of therapy scales were developed for this study without established reliability.
Participant Demographics
The study included children aged 2 to 18 years, with a majority diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.23, 0.60
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website