Symptom Characteristics Among Hospitalized Children and Adolescents With Cancer

Abstract

Ongoing assessment that incorporates the multidimensional nature of symptoms is needed. Prioritizing interventions for symptoms that are most distressing to the patient may support a more meaningful, patient-centric approach to care.

Pain at home during childhood cancer treatment: Severity, prevalence, analgesic use, and interference with daily life

“…The more severe the pain, the bigger the interference with daily life. This is in line with previous studies, which show pain to be correlated with stress, 30 sleeping problems, 7,33 and greater burden from physical and psychological symptoms 33 affecting the quality of life of patients in both pediatric 7,30,33 and adult populations. 56 Overall, our findings have several clinical implications.…”

“…Previous studies have also revealed the negative impact of pain on quality of life, distress, burden of physical and psychological symptoms, affect, and sleep. 7,27,[31][32][33][34] It is therefore imperative to closely monitor pain in these children in the home setting. We believe that the use of ecological momentary assessments (ie, real-time pain assessment in the subject's natural environment 57 ) over a prolonged period of time is the most reliable source to collect data on pain in the home setting.…”

“…31 Furthermore, it has been associated with high levels of patient distress, 27,32 greater burden from physical and psychological symptoms, 33 negative affect, 34 and sleeping problems. 7,33 In childhood cancer survivors, it has been associated with greater emotional distress and suicidal ideation. 26 Since research on pain in the home setting is still scarce, the first aim of this study was to gain more insight into pain experiences of children at home during childhood cancer treatment in order to determine whether interventions focusing on pain management at home are needed.…”

Comparison of good days and sick days of school-age children with cancer reflected through their drawings

“…Frequent absences also limit children’s ability to maintain academic progress. Additionally, children experience multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms as a result of their disease and its treatment [3–7]. Collectively, these experiences can hinder both physiologic and psychologic aspects of children’s growth and development with potential adverse consequences on their quality of life.…”

Taking on enduring distress: Building a concept to lead a program of research

“…Synthesis of the literature revealed SMT as a theoretical foundation used to identify the symptom experience in pediatric chronic illness (Table 1). Recurrent descriptors representing the symptom experience and living with everyday challenges included headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, pain, fatigue, consequences of treatment, and sleep disturbance in pediatric chronic illness 17‐19 …”