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Quality of life in mothers and fathers of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Sweden, Finland and Denmark
Author(s) -
Mogensen Nina,
Saaranen Ella,
Olsson Erik,
Klug Albertsen Birgitte,
Lähteenmäki Päivi M.,
Kreicbergs Ulrika,
Heyman Mats,
HarilaSaari Arja
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/bjh.18350
Subject(s) - norwegian , mental health , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , population , demography , pediatrics , psychiatry , psychology , clinical psychology , environmental health , philosophy , linguistics , nursing , sociology
Summary Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has a high survival rate, but treatment is lengthy with risk of severe side‐effects, which may also impact parents' health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). We present data on 526 parents of 310 children treated for ALL according to the NOPHO ALL2008‐protocol, in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Parents were asked to complete the 36‐Item Short Form Survey (SF‐36) at least 6 months after end of treatment and data were compared with Norwegian reference data. Parental background factors were collected via a study‐specific questionnaire. Participating parents scored significantly lower than the reference population on both physical and mental summary indexes, but only surpassed a minimal clinically important difference for the mental summary index (Mental Component Summary [MCS]). Mothers scored lower than fathers in the MCS and stopped working and took care of the affected child more often than the fathers. Higher mental HRQOL was associated with male gender and living in Finland or Denmark (compared to Sweden). Correlations within spouses in physical and mental scores were weak to moderate. In conclusion, ALL negatively affects parental HRQOL, especially the mental domains, even after treatment. Findings suggest that mothers are more affected than fathers and may require extra support.