Premium
Health‐related quality of life of children on treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Fardell Joanna E.,
Vetsch Janine,
Trahair T.,
Mateos M. K.,
Grootenhuis M. A.,
Touyz L. M.,
Marshall G. M.,
Wakefield C. E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.26489
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , lymphoblastic leukemia , pediatrics , health related quality of life , longitudinal study , leukemia , intensive care medicine , disease , pathology , nursing
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergo intense anticancer treatment. We systematically reviewed 22 studies evaluating 2,073 ALL patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and its clinical/demographic correlates during treatment. Overall HRQL was significantly reduced on treatment. Despite HRQL improvements over time, longitudinal studies reported a proportion of children continued to experience reduced HRQL after treatment completion. We found inconsistent associations between clinical/demographic factors and HRQL outcomes. Tentative evidence emerged for worse HRQL being associated with intensive phases of chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, experiencing greater toxicity, older age, and female sex. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify children at‐risk of reduced HRQL.