Updating our understanding of health-related quality of life issues in children with cancer: a systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures and qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a key concept in pediatric oncology. This systematic review aims to update the conceptual HRQOL model by Anthony et al. (Qual Life Res 23(3):771-789, 2014), covering physical, emotional, social and general HRQOL aspects, and to present a comprehensive overview of age- and disease-specific HRQOL issues in children with cancer. METHODS: Medline, PsychINFO, the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews (CDSR), and the COSMIN database were searched (up to 31.12.2020) for publications using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and qualitative studies in children with cancer (8-14-year) or their parents. Items and quotations were extracted and mapped onto the conceptual model for HRQOL in children with cancer mentioned above. RESULTS: Of 2038 identified studies, 221 were included for data extraction. We identified 96 PROMS with 2641 items and extracted 798 quotations from 45 qualitative studies. Most items and quotations (94.8%) could be mapped onto the conceptual model. However, some adaptations were made and the model was complemented by (sub)domains for 'treatment burden', 'treatment involvement', and 'financial issues'. Physical and psychological aspects were more frequently covered than social issues. DISCUSSION: This review provides a comprehensive overview of HRQOL issues for children with cancer. Our findings mostly support the HRQOL model by Anthony et al. (Qual Life Res 23(3):771-789, 2014), but some adaptations are suggested. This review may be considered a starting point for a refinement of our understanding of HRQOL in children with cancer. Further qualitative research will help to evaluate the comprehensiveness of the HRQOL model and the relevance of the issues it encompasses.

Dysphagia-related mucositis in children undergoing chemotherapy: The COMEDY pattern.

OBJECTIVES: Children undergoing chemotherapy can experience dysphagia due to non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). Oral mucositis (OM) associated with NERD-dysphagia in children with cancer has recently been defined with the acronym COMEDY (Clenching, Oral Mucositis, closed Eyes, DYsphagia). This study aims to identify the prevalence of the COMEDY pattern among chemotherapy-induced OM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two medical records of children undergoing chemotherapy for haemato-oncologic diseases and presenting OM were reviewed. The following data were collected: age, type of haemato-oncologic disease, presence of dysphagia, type of oral mucosal lesions (i.e. traditional oral mucositis or COMEDY pattern), site of oral lesions, ear-nose-throat (ENT) assessment for the indirect signs of NERD and paediatric neuro-psychiatric (PNP) assessment. RESULTS: Among 42 children with chemotherapy-related OM, 6 patients (14.2%) showed the COMEDY pattern. Besides the characteristic clinical aspect of the oral mucosa, initially classified as grade II OM, these children suffered from NERD-related dysphagia and PNP issues. CONCLUSION: A COMEDY pattern can occur in a number of cases of chemotherapy-induced OM; recognizing this pattern may improve the effectiveness of treatment.