Quality of life of pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review.
Keywords:
Health-related quality of life, pediatric nursing, precursor cell lymphoblastic leukemia-lymphoma, pediatricsAbstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignant neoplasm in the pediatric population, and its treatment has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study aimed to analyze the available scientific evidence on HRQoL in pediatric patients with ALL through a systematic review of studies published over the last five years. Fourteen studies were included, encompassing a total of 1,978 pediatric patients and 1,635 parents or caregivers. The findings indicate that HRQoL deteriorates considerably during the most intensive phases of chemotherapy, mainly due to treatment-related physical symptoms, emotional distress, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulties with school and social reintegration. Although quality of life generally improves after treatment completion, many patients continue to experience persistent sequelae for several months. The most frequently used instrument for assessing HRQoL was the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL v3.0). Overall, the evidence demonstrates that HRQoL is influenced by multiple disease- and treatment-related factors, highlighting the need to incorporate its assessment as a fundamental component of long-term clinical follow-up and comprehensive care for pediatric patients with this condition.
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