Quality of life in children with cancer and their normal siblings

Abstract

Background Cancer treatment in children influences the quality of life of patients and their families. The Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) inventory is a questionnaire to assess quality of life of the healthy and ill children. Objective To compare quality of life in children with cancer and their normal siblings, and to compare quality of life in those with hematologic malignancies to those with solid tumors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5-to-18- year-olds at the Hematology-Oncology Division at Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera, from May to July 2012. The case group (subjects with cancer) filled the PedsQL 3.0 and 4.0 questionnaires, while the control group (normal siblings) filled only the PedsQL 4.0 questionnaire. Independent T-test was used to compare the quality of life between children with cancer and their normal siblings. Results There were 46 children in each group. The PedsQL 4.0 results in children with cancer and their normal siblings, and PedsQL 3.0 between hematology malignant and solid cancer were as follows: physical function 36.9 vs. 80.7, respectively (95%CI of differences -52.639 to -34.990; P= 0.0001), emotional function 40.4 vs. 69.3, respectively (95%CI of differences -35.912 to -21.914; P=0.0001), social function 71.5 vs. 93.9, respectively (95%CI of differences - 29.238 to -15.587; P=0.0001), school function 20.7 vs. 74.2, respectively (95%CI of differences - 62.124 to -44.832; P=0.0001), and total score 42.1 vs. 79.3, respectively (95%CI of differences - 43.066 to -31.344; P=0.0001). School function was the most affected parameter in children with cancer compared to their normal siblings. Conclusion There is a significant difference in quality of life between children with cancer and their normal siblings, for all four parameters examined by the PedsQL inventory. However, there are no significant differences in quality of life between children with hematologic malignancy and those with solid cancer.

Relationship between Anxiety and Fatigue in Leukemia Patients on Quality of Life with Nausea and Vomiting as an Intervening Factor

“…In this study, the instrument used was PEDSQL 3.0 for cancer module as applied by Nurhidayah et al [20], while Novrianda et al [16] and Sung et al [22] both used PEDSQL 4.0 generic core scale. The quality of life value in this study is also lower than the research conducted by Hilda et al [13] which has an average score of 42.1. Hesketh further explained that nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients are influenced by several factors.…”

“…Hesketh further explained that nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients are influenced by several factors. These factors include age, gender, alcohol consumption, chemotherapy dose, and the level of emetogenesis of chemotherapy drugs/cancer drugs used [13], [16], [20], [21].…”

“…School-age children who develop cancer at an early stage actually have a lower quality of life than those at an advanced stage. Another study conducted by Hilda et al [13] suggested that children with cancer, especially leukemia has a lower quality of life compared to their siblings, in terms of physical, social, emotional, and school functions. This is supported by research in Pakistan which shows the same thing [14].…”

Correlation between Parents’ Self-efficacy and Quality of Life of Children with Cancer Aged 8-12 Years

“…Cancer and its treatment has not only physical effects but also social and emotional effects. 2 They experience fears and worries in relation to their child’s life and in relation to whether the treatment will lead to a full recovery. 3 Almost all parents have reported experiencing feelings of distress when watching their child suffer in this way.…”

Impact of Caregiver’s Psychological Aspects towards Quality of Life of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

“…Stress level is known to be higher in caregivers of children with severe, potentially terminal diseases (Feeley et al, 2013;Nieuwesteeg et al, 2016). Meanwhile, based on pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL™) score assessment, children with cancer suffer from worse quality of life compared to normal children (Hilda et al, 2015). Other study may yield good quality of life result for children with cancer, however this is also associated longer period of being dependent on familial support, the isolation from peer groups and the longer way to become independent when the cancer present at younger age (Calaminus et al, 2000).…”