Symptom Clusters in Children With Leukemia Receiving Chemotherapy: A Scoping Review.

Background: Leukemia represents the most prevalent childhood malignancy. Understanding the symptom clusters (SCs) associated with leukemia may help develop an effective care plan for affected children.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to summarize the methods of identifying SCs; ascertain the types, attributes, and changing patterns of SCs during different chemotherapy phases; and provide a point of reference for the subsequent improvement of symptom management in pediatric leukemia.

Methods: The methodological framework employed was the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review Guide. A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception until July 15, 2023.

Results: A total of 14 articles were included in this review, 6 in English and 8 in Chinese. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 10-18 is the most commonly used instrument, whereas factor analysis is the most common statistical method for SC identification. The SCs were classified into 12 categories. The most severe SCs varied across different phases. Specifically, the emotional cluster dominated the prechemotherapy phase, the gastrointestinal cluster surfaced during postinduction therapy, and the consolidation and maintenance therapy phases revealed the self-image disorder cluster.

Conclusion: Various consistent and dynamic SCs manifest among pediatric patients with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy.

Implications for practice: Future research endeavors should formulate clear criteria to determine the stability and consistency of SCs, validate SC composition and characteristics, and devise precise symptom management protocols based on SC characteristics in the distinct chemotherapy phases.