Health-related quality of life in Chinese children and adolescents with cancer

Abstract

Aim: Cancer diagnosis and related treatment can have multiple impacts on children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to determine profiles of HRQoL in Chinese children and adolescents with cancer based on patient-reported outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 310 pediatric patients with cancer (in treatment and survivorship) aged 8–17 years old and their family caregivers from four hospitals in China. The participants were asked to complete the PROMIS Pediatric-25 Profile 2.0, along with a demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, fatigue screening item, and an item assessing the family caregiver's coping style. Latent profile analysis was used to identify profiles. Results: Two profiles were identified: Profile 1, “low symptom and high function” (n = 147, 47.4%); and Profile 2, “high symptom and low function” (n = 163, 52.5%). Children reporting ≥3 on the five-point Symptom Distress Scale fatigue screening item were more likely to be in Profile 2 (OR = 1.961; 95% CI: 1.098–3.501). Participants were less likely to be in Profile 2 if they were in survivorship (OR = 0.494; 95% CI: 0.271–0.903), or their caregiver's coping style was identified as facing positively (OR = 0.439; 95% CI: 0.274–0.703). Conclusion: The identified profiles demonstrate the heterogeneity in HRQoL among pediatric patients with cancer, and the importance of supporting caregivers' coping as a means of supporting the child. Knowledge of these profiles can assist clinicians in better identifying and targeting interventions for children with cancer.