Comparative study of quality of life of adult survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia and Wilms' tumor

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2015 Oct-Dec;13(4):492-9. doi: 10.1590/S1679-45082015AO3231. Epub 2015 Oct 30.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze and compare the health-related quality of life of adult survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia and Wilms' tumor amongst themselves and in relation to healthy participants.

Methods: Ninety participants aged above 18 years were selected and divided into three groups, each comprising 30 individuals. The Control Group was composed of physically healthy subjects, with no cancer history; and there were two experimental groups: those diagnosed as acute lymphocytic leukemia, and those as Wilms' Tumor. Quality of life was assessed over the telephone, using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.

Results: Male survivors presented with better results as compared to female survivors and controls in the Vitality domain, for acute lymphocytic leukemia (p=0.042) and Wilms' tumor (p=0.013). For acute lymphocytic leukemia survivors, in Social aspects (p=0.031), Mental health (p=0.041), and Emotional aspects (p=0.040), the latter also for survivors of Wilms' tumor (p=0.040). The best results related to the Functional capacity domain were recorded for the experimental group that had a late diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia. There were significant differences between groups except for the Social and Emotional domains for self-perceived health, with positive responses that characterized their health as good, very good, and excellent.

Conclusion: Survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia showed no evidence of relevant impairment of health-related quality of life. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (via telephone) can be a resource to access and evaluate survivors.

Objetivo: Analisar e comparar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de sobreviventes adultos de leucemia linfocítica aguda e tumor de Wilms entre si, e em relação a participantes sadios.

Métodos: Foram selecionados noventa participantes, acima de 18 anos, os quais foram divididos em três grupos, sendo cada um com 30 sujeitos: Grupo Controle, que contou com indivíduos fisicamente saudáveis, sem histórico oncológico; grupo experimental formado por pacientes que tiveram diagnóstico de leucemia linfocítica aguda; e grupo experimental formado por pacientes que tiveram diagnóstico de Tumor de Wilms. A avaliação da qualidade de vida foi realizada por telefone e utilizou o Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.

Resultados: Os sobreviventes do sexo masculino apresentaram melhores resultados em relação aos do sexo feminino e controles no Aspecto vitalidade, para leucemia linfocítica aguda (p=0,042) e tumor de Wilms (p=0,013). Para os sobreviventes de leucemia linfocítica aguda nos Aspectos sociais (p=0,031), Saúde mental (p=0,041) e Aspectos emocionais (p=0,040), neste último também para as sobreviventes de Tumor de Wilms (p=0,040). Os melhores resultados relacionados ao domínio Capacidade funcional foram registrados para o grupo experimental de pacientes que tiveram diagnóstico tardio de leucemia linfocítica aguda. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os grupos, exceto para os domínios Aspectos sociais e emocionais para a percepção da própria saúde, que teve respostas de cunho positivo, que qualificavam a própria saúde como boa, muito boa e excelente.

Conclusão: O grupo experimental de pacientes que tiveram diagnóstico de leucemia linfocítica aguda não apresentou evidências de comprometimento relevante da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. O Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (via telefone) pode ser um recurso de acesso e avaliação de sobreviventes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / psychology
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / epidemiology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / psychology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Self Report*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Telephone
  • Wilms Tumor / epidemiology*
  • Wilms Tumor / psychology
  • Young Adult