Health-related quality of life assessment in Serbian schoolchildren hospitalized for malignant disease

Goran Nedović; Dragan Marinkovic; Dragan Rapaić; Svetlana Berat; Ruzica Kozomara

doi:10.2298/1786

Goran Nedović Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Dragan Marinkovic Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Dragan Rapaić Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Svetlana Berat Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Ruzica Kozomara Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia and Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/1786

Keywords: quality of life, neoplasms, questionnaires, child, adolescent,

Abstract

Background/Aim. Although long-term survival of childhood cancer patients is significantly improved, prolonged treatment and hospitalization might have negative impacts on child development. The aim of this study was to verify profile of health-related quality of life parameters in population of schoolchildren during hospitalization and treatment for malignant disease. Methods. The Serbian version of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 (PedsQL^TM4.0) Generic Core Scales was applied. A total of 120 schoolchildren were analyzed: 60 patients hospitalized for prolonged malignant disease treatment and 60 healthy schoolchildren from public schools. The study was done at the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, as well as in four schools. Results. Generally, schoolchildren hospitalized for cancer treatment demonstrated lower scores on physical, emotional, social and school functioning when compared to healthy schoolchildren from regular public schools. Significant differences were observed for all the 8 items of the Physical Health Scale, in 2 out of 5 items of the Emotional Functioning Scale, in 4 out of 5 items of the Social Functioning Scale, and 3 out of 5 items of the School Functioning Scale. Conclusions. The Serbian version of PedsQL^TM 4.0 Generic Core Scales could be successfully used to evaluate physical, emotional, social and school functioning of hospitalized children and adolescent. Schoolchildren hospitalized for prolonged tumor treatment have poorer HRQOL scores compared to general healthy population, however the level of remaining physical, emotional and social parameters should provide solid foundation for their potential rehabilitation, education and inclusion.

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