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 3-17 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 ps < .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 (rs = .21 - .39, all ps
< .05). Interventions to improve QOL could target nausea,
worry, and older patients. Accuracy and interpretation of symptom
distress in children is problematic. The Faces Scale and posture may be
suitable, readily obtained measures of QOL in pediatric oncology that
hold promise.