TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of dexamethasone on quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational study
AU - de Vries, Machteld A. G.
AU - van Litsenburg, Raphaele R. L.
AU - Huisman, Jaap
AU - Grootenhuis, Martha A.
AU - Versluys, Birgitta A. B.
AU - Kaspers, Gertjan J. L.
AU - Gemke, Reinoud J. B. J.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are important in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, cyclic administration of high dose glucocorticoids may cause rapid and substantial changes in quality of life (QoL). The maintenance phase of the Dutch ALL-9 protocol consisted of alternating two weeks on and five weeks off dexamethasone (6 mg/m2/day). The present study was performed to assess the effect of dexamethasone on QoL during treatment for ALL according to this protocol. METHODS: In a multicentre prospective cohort study, QoL was assessed halfway (T1) and at the end of the two-year treatment (T2). A generic (Child Health Questionnaire) and disease specific (PedsQLTM cancer version) QoL questionnaire were used to assess QoL in two periods: on and off dexamethasone, respectively. RESULTS: 41 children (56% males) were evaluated, mean age at diagnosis was 5.6 years. The CHQ physical and psychosocial summary scores were significantly lower than population norms. At T1 and T2, overall QoL showed no significant change. However, regarding specific domains (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning) QoL decreased over time. QoL was significantly more impaired during periods on dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone is associated with decreased QoL. At the end of treatment, reported QoL during dexamethasone deteriorated even more on certain scales (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning). Knowledge of the specific aspects of QoL is essential to improve counselling and coping in paediatric oncology. Adverse effects of specific drugs on QoL should be taken into account when designing treatment protocols
AB - ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are important in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, cyclic administration of high dose glucocorticoids may cause rapid and substantial changes in quality of life (QoL). The maintenance phase of the Dutch ALL-9 protocol consisted of alternating two weeks on and five weeks off dexamethasone (6 mg/m2/day). The present study was performed to assess the effect of dexamethasone on QoL during treatment for ALL according to this protocol. METHODS: In a multicentre prospective cohort study, QoL was assessed halfway (T1) and at the end of the two-year treatment (T2). A generic (Child Health Questionnaire) and disease specific (PedsQLTM cancer version) QoL questionnaire were used to assess QoL in two periods: on and off dexamethasone, respectively. RESULTS: 41 children (56% males) were evaluated, mean age at diagnosis was 5.6 years. The CHQ physical and psychosocial summary scores were significantly lower than population norms. At T1 and T2, overall QoL showed no significant change. However, regarding specific domains (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning) QoL decreased over time. QoL was significantly more impaired during periods on dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone is associated with decreased QoL. At the end of treatment, reported QoL during dexamethasone deteriorated even more on certain scales (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning). Knowledge of the specific aspects of QoL is essential to improve counselling and coping in paediatric oncology. Adverse effects of specific drugs on QoL should be taken into account when designing treatment protocols
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-6-103
DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-6-103
M3 - Article
C2 - 19036151
SN - 1477-7525
VL - 6
SP - 103
JO - Health and quality of life outcomes
JF - Health and quality of life outcomes
IS - 1
M1 - 103
ER -