Longitudinal study on quality of life and its influencing factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of quality of life and its influencing factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy. Methods A total of 134 children who were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were selected. The demographic questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM General Core Module were completed in children at three different time points during chemotherapy (the first month, the third month, and the sixth month of chemotherapy). Results There were significant differences in the quality of life between children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (t=-23.117-209.225, P<0.01). Multiple factors analysis showed that the factors influencing the quality of life of children at the first month of chemotherapy were age (t=-10.413, P=0.000) , and family emotional support (t=2.231, P=0.027) ; the factors at the third month of chemotherapy included age (t=-12.439, P=0.000) , whether the child was the only child (t=2.267, P=0.025) , education level of primary caregiver (t=2.091, P=0.038) , and family emotional support (t=5.374, P=0.014) ; the factor at the sixth month of chemotherapy were age (t=-11.254, P=0.000) , and family emotional support (t=2.184, P=0.035) . Conclusions The total quality of life and the scores of all dimensions of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were lower and showed dynamic changes. Age and family emotional support were continuing factors influencing quality of life. Medical staff should take targeted interventions according to the characteristics of the quality of life of children at different ages, and guide and help parents and children to establish good family emotional support and improve their quality of life. Key words: Leukemia; Children; Chemotherapy; Quality of life; Longitudinal study