Developmental differences in health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Qual Life Res 2020 Sep;29(9):2435-2444
Date
04/24/2020Pubmed ID
32323061DOI
10.1007/s11136-020-02507-4Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85084090912 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 3 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) experience developmental transitions. AYA survivors of cancer are at risk for chronic health conditions due to treatment. This study examined developmental differences in AYA survivors' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between age groups and compared to population norms.
METHODS: HRQOL was assessed in AYA survivors of cancer (diagnosed before age 30) in long-term follow-up. Cancer survivors who were 12-39 years old at survey completion and completed therapy ≥ 2 years ago were included. HRQOL was assessed using the PedsQL™ and FACT.
RESULTS: Sample size was 155 survivors. PedsQL™ school functioning was worse in 15-17 year olds compared to 12-14 year olds (66.35 vs 77.60, p = 0.012). Compared to population norms, PedsQL™ outcomes were only worse in survivors' school functioning. Survivors' 18-39 years old had FACT scores that were better than population norms for overall HRQOL (91.33 vs 80.1, p < 0.001), and in physical (24.22 vs 22.7, p < 0.001), social (23.46 vs 19.1, p < 0.001), and functional well-being (22.94 vs 18.5, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified that survivors who were < 15 years old and had not relapsed, and survivors who were 15-18 years old and had ≥ 2 late effects are at highest risk of lower HRQOL. For older survivors the highest risk group for lower HRQOL were < 21 years old at survey completion, > 7 years old at diagnosis and > 6 years post therapy.
CONCLUSION: A trend in school functioning issues in older adolescent survivors emerged. Older survivors show improved HRQOL when compared to the general population. Those further off therapy are at risk of poor HRQOL.
Author List
Becktell K, Simpson P, Phelan R, Schmidt D, Anderson L, Nichols J, Bingen KAuthors
Lynnette J. Anderson NP APP Mgr Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinKerri Becktell MD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Kristin M. Bingen PhD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rachel A. Phelan MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Debra Schmidt NP APP Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Cancer Survivors
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Neoplasms
Quality of Life
Young Adult
