Post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms in paediatric cancer survivors and their family nucleus: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression
2024

Post-traumatic stress disorder in paediatric cancer survivors and their families

Sample size: 10812 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Low Chen Ee, Tan Sheryl Yen Pin, Loh Andre, Yu Jingrong, Ong Joel Zuo Er, Loh Caitlin Yuen Ling, Yau Chun En, Lee Ainsley Ryan Yan Bin, Ho Cyrus Su Hui

Primary Institution: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Hypothesis

What is the overall risk of PTSD and severity of PTSS in paediatric cancer survivors and their family nucleus?

Conclusion

Paediatric cancer survivors have an increased risk of PTSD and lower severity of PTSS compared to non-cancer controls.

Supporting Evidence

  • Paediatric cancer survivors have a risk ratio of 2.36 for developing PTSD compared to non-cancer controls.
  • Female survivors and those older at diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of PTSD.
  • Family nucleus did not show a significantly increased risk of PTSD.
  • Lower education, income, and social status are risk factors for PTSD and PTSS.

Takeaway

Kids who survive cancer might feel really sad or scared about what happened to them, and it's important to help them and their families feel better.

Methodology

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing PTSD and PTSS in paediatric cancer survivors and their families with non-cancer controls.

Potential Biases

Potential publication bias identified.

Limitations

Heterogeneity across studies and variability in assessment tools for PTSD and PTSS.

Participant Demographics

Included 10,812 paediatric cancer survivors and their families, with a mix of genders and ages.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI 1.37–4.06 for PTSD risk ratio; 95% CI −0.50 to −0.08 for PTSS severity.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1192/bjo.2024.805

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