Health-Related Quality of Life and Sleep Quality in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Survivors
Abstract
Objective: To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinant factors among childhood hematologic cancer survivors with a specific focus on the influence of growth status and sleep quality.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 survivors of childhood hematologic malignancies who completed chemotherapy. HRQOL and sleep quality were assessed using the Thai version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis.
Results: The participants had a mean age of 13.44±3.61 years. Sleep disturbances were highly prevalent (65.91%). The patients were observed to be overweight or obese and stunted (32.58% and 6.06% of patients, respectively). Overall HRQOL scores were within the normal range, with social functioning scoring highest and school functioning lowest. Patients who completed treatment for ≥ 2 years reported significantly higher HRQOL scores than those off treatment for < 2 years (p-value=0.02). However, this difference diminished at the 5-year post-treatment threshold (p-value=0.06). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that sleep quality was the sole independent factor predicting significantly lower total HRQOL (B =-1.16, p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: Sleep quality independently predicts HRQOL among childhood cancer survivors. Proactive sleep disturbance screening and symptom management, particularly during the first two years post-treatment, are essential to improve the long-term quality of life in this population
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