Assessment of health-related quality of life in children with cancer using PedsQL™ (a preliminary study)

Abstract

Background Cancer in children can adversely affect their developments and growth. The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) will justifY its physical and psychological effects. Methods Seventy-seven subjects who underwent therapy were assessed using the PedsQL™, which consisted of parent-proxy reports and or child-self reports. PedsQL™ is assessments of physical, social, emotional and role functions. The control group was students with the same number and age as the sample group. Results Children with cancer had lower HRQL than normal healthy children (odds ratio 3. 7). Children with cancer who came from low socio-economic families had lower social functions and girls had tendencies to have lower quality oflife. Fathers' education had strong influence in children's quality of life. Leukemic patients had better quality of life than those of lymphoma and solid organ tumor. Group with age of diagnosis at 6-9 year old had lower HRQL compared with younger or older groups. The longer period of illness was, the more emotional function would improved. Despite of a good accordance between parents' and child's reports, parents usually had reports about having lower quality of life. Conclusions Children's HRQL is influenced by clinical characteristics and social-demographic variables differently. Assessment of the children's HRQL is better done with parents and or child as the source of information.

Keywords

• quality of life
• cancer
• children.