Health-related quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors after treatment in Jordan

Abstract

Background The number of cancer survivors and survivorship are increasing. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been widely studied in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study is to explore HRQOL of childhood brain tumor survivors and its determinants in Jordan. Methods HRQOL information was collected from 80 patients treated at the King Hussein Cancer Center and their parents using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales questionnaire in Arabic. Multivariable linear OLS regression models were used to analyze correlates of HRQOL and compare differences between child- and parent-reported responses. Results HRQOL scores reported by survivors and by parents were positively correlated on all sub-scales and total PedsQL scores (r=0.59, p=0.001). Survivors reported better HRQOL in cognitive sub-scale (β=0.56, p=0.03) and worse HRQOL in work sub-scale (β=0.43, p=0.04) but no significant differences in the physical, emotional, and social sub-scales and total PedsQL scores. Significant predictors of HRQOL reported by parents and by children were different. Supratentorial tumor location was associated with a 10.97-unit lower physical HRQOL score, and recurrence of tumors predicted a 17.5-unit lower total HRQOL score, indicating worse quality of life. Male gender (β=14.9, p=0.002) and diagnosis of hypopituitarism (β=16.1, p=0.03) were associated with better HRQOL. Furthermore, patients that only had radiotherapy treatment had better emotional HRQOL (β=32.9, p=0.006) compared to patients that had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Conclusion This study provides evidence on determinants of HRQOL of pediatric brain tumor patients in Jordan. Future studies need to capitalize on the findings of this study to institute a system for regular assessment of quality of life of pediatric cancer patients in Jordan and other countries with similar health care systems and socio-cultural backgrounds.