Associations between demographics and quality of life in children in the first year of cancer treatment

Abstract

Symptom distress and decreased quality of life (QOL) among children with cancer are well documented. Research is emerging on the child's voice in QOL-symptom reports, but existing QOL questionnaires are burdensome and objective biologic markers are lacking. We examined children's symptoms and QOL from parent and child perspectives and compared the results to one biologic marker (body posture). A cross-sectional secondary analysis of prospective data from children receiving creative arts therapy explored potential associations among demographics with and between QOL measures (PedsQL, Faces Scale, posture). Children (n = 98) ranged in age from 3 to 17 years (M = 7.8) and were in the first year of cancer treatment. No significant associations were found among the child's sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), or distance from hospital, and total PedsQL. Older age was associated with worse total PedsQL, pain, nausea, worry, and posture (all P < 0.05). Greater worry (β = 0.51) and worse posture (β = 0.41) were the QOL variables most strongly correlated with older age. Poorer posture was associated with worse child PedsQL (total score, nausea, treatment anxiety, cognitive) and parent PedsQL (pain, nausea). Worse scores on the Faces Scale, PedsQL, and posture were all correlated (r = 0.21-0.39, all P < 0.05). Interventions to improve QOL could target nausea, worry, and older patients. Accuracy and interpretation of symptom distress in children are problematic. The Faces Scale and posture may be suitable, readily obtained measures of QOL in pediatric oncology that hold promise.

Keywords: cancer; demographics; pediatric; posture; quality of life.