Quality of life of adult retinoblastoma survivors in the Netherlands

49Citations
Citations of this article
88Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Background: To assess the quality of life (QoL) and predictors thereof in Dutch adult hereditary and non-hereditary retinoblastoma (RB) survivors. Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, a generic QoL questionnaire (SF-36) and a disease-specific interview were administered to 87 adult RB survivors aged 18 to 35 years. Their QoL data were compared with those of a Dutch healthy reference group. Among the RB hereditary/non-hereditary survivors, the QoL was compared and predictors for QoL were identified by linear multiple regression analyses. Results: As a group, RB survivors scored significantly lower than the reference group on the SF-36 subscale 'mental health' (t = -27, df = 86, p < 0.01). Hereditary RB survivors scored lower on the subscale 'general health' (t = 2.6, df = 85, p < 0.01) than non-hereditary RB survivors. Having experienced bullying, as a child was a predictor for the SF-36 subscales: 'physical functioning' (p < 0.05), 'role functioning physical' (p < 0.01), 'role functioning emotional' (p < 0.05) and 'social functioning' (p < 0.01). Having experienced bullying (p < 0.01), but also subjective experience of impairment related to RB (p < 0.05), was predictors for 'general health'. Subjective experience of impairment was a predictor for 'vitality' (p < 0.01) and 'bodily pain' (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In this exploratory study, it appears that the group of adult RB survivors experience a relatively good overall but slightly decreased QoL compared with the reference group. However, they report more problems with regard to their mental health (anxiety, feelings of depression, and loss of control). Hereditary RB survivors differ significantly from non-hereditary RB survivors only in 'general health'. Bullying in childhood and subjective experience of impairment are the main predictors of a worse QoL. In order to prevent worsening of QoL, or perhaps to improve it, clinicians should make an inventory of these issues at an early stage. We recommend further research to assess the specific psychological factors that may lead to mental health problems in this population. © 2007 van Dijk et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

References Powered by Scopus

Translation, validation, and norming of the Dutch language version of the SF-36 Health Survey in community and chronic disease populations

1887Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Proneness to Shame, Proneness to Guilt, and Psychopathology

573Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Long-term complications following childhood and adolescent cancer: Foundations for providing risk-based health care for survivors

314Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Retinoblastoma

483Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Psychological distress in long-term survivors of adult-onset cancer: Results from a national survey

193Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Conservative management of retinoblastoma: Challenging orthodoxy without compromising the state of metastatic grace. “Alive, with good vision and no comorbidity”

162Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

van Dijk, J., Imhof, S. M., Moll, A. C., Ringens, P. J., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Rijmen, F., & Huisman, J. (2007). Quality of life of adult retinoblastoma survivors in the Netherlands. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-5-30

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 29

57%

Researcher 10

20%

Professor / Associate Prof. 8

16%

Lecturer / Post doc 4

8%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 28

60%

Psychology 11

23%

Nursing and Health Professions 5

11%

Social Sciences 3

6%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free