Prospective study using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Cancer Module v3.0 (PedsQL-CM v3.0): Assessment of the psychosocial dimension and health-related quality of life

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate health-related quality of life and the psychosocial dimension in pediatric cancer patients and analyse their relationship with the clinical evolution parameters of the disease.

Methods

Prospective, observational, and analytical study with consecutive sampling of 53 patients aged 5–18 years, conducted between May 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023, in the pediatric oncohematology unit at Materno-Infantil Hospital of Miguel Servet University Hospital (Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Cancer Module version 3.0, and PD was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0. The study was approved by Comité de Ética de la Investigación de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón (C.P.-C.I. PI22/247). Statistical analyses were performed using Jamovi® version 1.2.

Results

A total of 46 patients participated (N = 46), with a mean age of 12.08 ± 4.05 years. Girls accounted for 30.43% of the sample, and the most prevalent cancer type was acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (39.13%). Health-related quality of life in patients with sarcoma was significantly lower than in those with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (mean 40.7 vs. 72.6; p = .037; Cohen’s d = 1.2), suggesting a clinically relevant impact in this subgroup. No significant differences in perceived quality of life were found in relation to participants’ laboratory parameters.

Conclusions

Age, treatment received and hospital stay influence the various dimensions of health-related quality of life, however, cancer and analytical parameters do not influence the perception of the psychosocial dimension of health-related quality of life. Sarcoma reflects a worse health-related quality of life compared to other more common tumours.