Qualidade de vida da população infantojuvenil oncológica com e sem fadiga / Calidad de vida de la población infantojuvenil oncológica con y sin fatiga / Quality of life of cancer children-adolescents with and without fatigue

Resumo Objetivo Comparar os escores de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) de crianças e adolescentes hospitalizados com câncer que apresentaram e não apresentaram fadiga e correlacionar fadiga e QVRS. Método Estudo transversal realizado durante 48 meses no setor de onco-hematologia de hospital público localizado no interior paulista, com 63 crianças e adolescentes com câncer. Para mensurar a fadiga e a QVRS, os participantes preencheram, respectivamente, os instrumentos Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Escala Multidimensional do Cansaço e Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Inventário Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida, versão acute, no módulo genérico e módulo câncer. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, bivariada e multivariada. Resultados As médias dos escores total de fadiga (61,2±16,3) e QVRS (genérica: 61,5±20,5; câncer: 61,2±16,3) foram baixas, demonstrando que as crianças e os adolescentes com câncer se apresentam fadigados (p=0,000) e com baixa qualidade de vida (p=0,000). No modelo de regressão, a fadiga pôde ser explicada em 61,25% pelas variáveis funcionamento emocional (p=0,0110), funcionamento escolar (p=0,0004) e dificuldades cognitivas (p=0,0017). Participantes sem fadiga apresentaram melhor escore médio de QVRS quando comparado ao grupo com fadiga. Conclusão Crianças e adolescentes hospitalizados com câncer apresentam baixa qualidade de vida e altos níveis de fadiga. Ainda, é positiva a relação entre algumas dimensões da QVRS com a fadiga, indicando que, quanto pior for o funcionamento escolar e emocional e maiores forem as dificuldades cognitivas, maior também será a fadiga.

Resumen Objetivo Comparar las puntuaciones de calidad de vida relacionadas con la salud (CVRS) de niños y de adolescentes hospitalizados con cáncer que presentaron y que no presentaron fatiga y correlacionar la fatiga y la CVRS. Métodos Estudio transversal realizado durante 48 meses en el sector de oncohematología de un hospital público ubicado en el interior del estado de São Paulo, con 63 niños y adolescentes con cáncer. Para medir la fatiga y la CVRS, los participantes rellenaron, respectivamente, los instrumentos Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Escala Multidimensional del Cansacio y Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida Pediátrica, versión acute, en el módulo genérico y en el módulo cáncer. Los datos fueron analizados por medio de estadística descriptiva, bivariada y multivariada. Resultados Los promedios de las puntuaciones total de fatiga (61,2±16,3) y CVRS (genérica: 61,5±20,5; cáncer: 61,2±16,3) fueron bajas, demostrando que los niños y los adolescentes con cáncer se muestran fatigados (p=0,000) y con baja calidad de vida (p=0,000). En el modelo de regresión, se puede explicar la fatiga en el 61,25 % por las variables funcionamiento emocional (p=0,0110), funcionamiento escolar (p=0,0004) y dificultades cognitivas (p=0,0017). Participantes sin fatiga presentaron mejor puntuación promedio de CVRS al compararlos con el grupo sin fatiga. Conclusión Niños y adolescentes hospitalizados con cáncer presentan baja calidad de vida y altos niveles de fatiga. Aun así, es positiva la relación entre algunas dimensiones de la CVRS con la fatiga, indicando que, cuanto peor sea el funcionamiento escolar y emocional y mayores sean las dificultades cognitivas, mayor será también la fatiga.

Abstract Objective To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores of children and adolescents hospitalized with cancer who had and did not have fatigue and to correlate fatigue and HRQoL. Method This is a cross-sectional study carried out for 48 months in the onco-hematology sector of a public hospital located in the interior of São Paulo, with 63 children and adolescents with cancer. To measure fatigue and HRQoL, participants completed the instruments Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory - acute version - in the generic module and cancer module. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistics. Results The means of the total fatigue scores (61.2±16.3) and HRQoL (generic: 61.5±20.5; cancer: 61.2±16.3) were low, demonstrating that children and adolescents with cancer are fatigued (p=0.000) and with low quality of life (p=0.000). In the regression model, fatigue could be explained in 61.25% by the variables emotional functioning (p=0.0110), school functioning (p=0.0004) and cognitive difficulties (p=0.0017). Participants without fatigue had better mean HRQoL score when compared to the group with fatigue. Conclusion Children and adolescents hospitalized with cancer have a low quality of life and high levels of fatigue. Furthermore, the relationship between some HRQoL dimensions and fatigue is positive, indicating that the worse the school and emotional functioning and the greater the cognitive difficulties, the greater the fatigue.

Quality of Life and Pain Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Cancer at Home Following Discharge From the Hospital.

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the quality of life and pain experienced by patients with pediatric cancer at home after discharge. Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of quality of life were measured and how these may be affected by age, sex, diagnosis, and pain status. The authors also characterized intensity, location, and quality of pain experienced. A sample of 33 patients participating in a larger study was selected on the basis of having pain on the day of discharge and having completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic, Cancer Module, Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool at home. Cancer diagnoses were leukemias/lymphomas (42.4%), brain/central nervous system tumors (27.3%), sarcomas (24.2%), or other (6.1%). More than half of patients reported pain (n=17; 51.5%). Patients with pain had more fatigue affecting the quality of life (P=0.01), and lower physical and emotional functioning, leading to lower overall health-related quality of life scores (P=0.011). Female individuals and adolescents reported worse emotional functioning (P=0.02 and P=0.05, respectively). Physical, cognitive, and social functioning were lowest among patients diagnosed with sarcomas (P=0.00, P=0.01, and P=0.04, respectively). It is important to understand the symptom experience of patients at home as a first step in moving towards optimal discharge teaching and treatment.

Multi-level Intervention Program - A Quality Improvement Initiative to Decrease Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Pediatric Acute and Hematology/Oncology Units.

INTRODUCTION: Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) are placed in pediatric patients that require frequent and/or long-term access for intravenous treatments and increase the risk for Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The specific aims of the study were to evaluate adherence to the intervention components and rates of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) over five years. METHODS: Implementation occurred on the acute care and hematology-oncology pediatric units of a quaternary health care setting in Southern California. Adherence rates were quantified using a CVC audit sheet and CLABSI rates were obtained quarterly before, and at year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of implementation. RESULTS: CLABSI rates for both pediatric units decreased over the five-year period. Adherence rates were 90% to 100% on the different features of the intervention; the lowest was adherence to Patient Protective Equipment (PPE). A total of 41 incidents of hospital-acquired CLABSIs were reported the year prior to the Bug Buster Committee, which decreased steadily to 9 incidents after implementation. The quarterly CLABSI rates in the Pediatric Acute Care ranged from 2.8 to 6.6/1,000 catheter days and in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology from 2.1 to 4.3/1,000 catheter days the year prior to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: While adherence for staff remains high, parent/family adherence was low. We recommend including in the multi-level intervention, procedures targeting parent adherence such as patient education handouts, reviewing content on admission, placing signs on doors indicating PPE requirements, and promptly providing PPE to non-adherent family members.

Frequency, Severity, and Distress Associated With Physical and Psychosocial Symptoms at Home in Children and Adolescents With Cancer.

Malignancy- and cancer-related treatments lead to multiple symptoms. Although treatments focus on cure, few research studies have examined the symptoms that accompany these aggressive and complicated treatments. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the symptoms experienced by children at home. Children (n = 25) and adolescents (n = 33) diagnosed with cancer completed the Memorial Symptoms Assessment Scale during the 5 days at home after discharge from the hospital. The most frequent physical symptoms were fatigue (52.1%), nausea (50.7%), lack of appetite (43.7%), and pain (42.3%). The most frequent psychological symptoms were difficulty sleeping (21.1%), worrying (18.3%), feeling sad (18.3%), and feeling nervous (16.9%). Significant differences were found in the overall physical and psychosocial symptoms and Global Distress Index in patients with and without pain, fatigue, and nausea. Results indicated that physical and psychosocial symptoms and Global Distress Index increased as severity of pain, nausea, and fatigue increased. Children and adolescents were experiencing many symptoms at home but were often not reporting them.

Pain, sleep patterns and health-related quality of life in paediatric patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with cancer who had pain, with those who had no pain during hospitalisation. METHOD: A prospective comparative study was used to collect data from paediatric oncology units in three countries (Portugal, Brazil, USA). Participants (n = 118; 8-18 years) completed the Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Cancer module, which includes a pain subscale, and wore a wrist actigraph for at least 72 hr. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants (48.3%) reported having pain. Sleep patterns were not affected by pain. Girls, adolescents and patients diagnosed with leukaemia/lymphoma who reported pain, had significantly lower HRQOL scores. Low sleep duration and HRQOL were found, irrespectively of pain status. CONCLUSIONS: The low sleep duration and HRQOL score in children and adolescents with cancer highlight the importance of physical and psychosocial nursing interventions during hospitalisation. The mediating effect of gender, age and diagnoses on the relation between pain and HRQOL needs to be further understood.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the adolescent pediatric pain tool for brazilian children and adolescents with cancer / Adaptación cultural del instrumento adolescent pediatric pain tool para niños y adolescentes brasileños con cáncer / Adaptação cultural do instrumento adolescent pediatric pain tool para crianças e adolescentes brasileiros com câncer

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the steps in the cross-cultural adaptation process of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, a pain assessment measure, for use with Brazilian children and adolescents with cancer. Method: a methodological and cross-sectional study was undertaken. The steps in the cross-cultural adaptation process of the tool that resulted in the semantic validation followed an adapted method, including: initial translation, consensus version of translations, evaluation by Expert Committee, back-translation, comparison with original tool and actual semantic validation. Results: the initial translation process of the tool until the final consensus was reached took approximately four months. In the evaluation by the Expert Committee, three health professionals participated in the study, who were knowledgeable on the theme and mastered the English language. In the semantic validation, 35 children and adolescents aged between eight and 18 unfinished years participated, who were patients at the institution where children and adolescents with cancer were treated and monitored. After concluding all steps, the researchers met to discuss the proposed changes. At the end of the cross-cultural adaptation process of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, all initially proposed 67 pain descriptors were maintained in their Portuguese version. Conclusion: the steps in the cross-cultural adaptation process of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool were executed and described in detail, evidencing the rigorous development of the study.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir las etapas realizadas en el proceso de adaptación cultural del instrumento de evaluación del dolor Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, para niños y adolescentes brasileños con cáncer. Método: se trata de un estudio metodológico y transversal. Las etapas recorridas del proceso de adaptación cultural del instrumento hasta la validación semántica siguieron un método adaptado que comprendió: traducción inicial, síntesis de las traducciones, evaluación por el Comité de Especialistas, retrotraducción, comparación con el instrumento original y validación semántica propiamente dicha. Resultados: el proceso de traducción inicial del instrumento hasta la obtención del consenso final tardó, aproximadamente, cuatro meses. En la etapa de evaluación por el Comité de Especialistas, participaron del estudio tres profesionales del área de la salud, con conocimiento en la temática y dominio de la lengua inglesa. Para la etapa de validación semántica, participaron 35 niños y adolescentes de ocho a 18 años incompletos, atendidos en la institución donde se realizaban el tratamiento y el seguimiento de niños y adolescentes con cáncer. Después de la conclusión de todas las etapas, los investigadores se reunieron para discutir los cambios propuestos. Al final de la adaptación cultural del instrumento Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, los 67 descriptores del dolor, propuesto inicialmente se mantuvieron en su versión portuguesa. Conclusión: las etapas del proceso de adaptación cultural del Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool se alcanzaron y su descripción detallada, para evidenciar el rigor en la conducción del estudio.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as etapas realizadas no processo de adaptação cultural do instrumento de avaliação da dor Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, para crianças e adolescentes brasileiros com câncer. Método: trata-se de um estudo metodológico e transversal. As etapas percorridas do processo de adaptação cultural do instrumento até a validação semântica seguiram um método adaptado que compreendeu: tradução inicial, síntese das traduções, avaliação pelo Comitê de Especialistas, retrotradução, comparação com o instrumento original e validação semântica propriamente dita. Resultados: o processo de tradução inicial do instrumento até a obtenção do consenso final levou, aproximadamente, quatro meses. Na etapa de avaliação pelo Comitê de Especialistas, participaram do estudo três profissionais da área da saúde, com conhecimento na temática e domínio da língua inglesa. Para a etapa de validação semântica, participaram 35 crianças e adolescentes de oito a 18 anos incompletos, atendidos na instituição onde eram realizados o tratamento e o seguimento de crianças e adolescentes com câncer. Após a conclusão de todas as etapas, os pesquisadores se reuniram para discutir as mudanças propostas. Ao final do processo de adaptação cultural do Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, todos os 67 descritores da dor, propostos inicialmente, foram mantidos em sua versão em português. Conclusão: as etapas do processo de adaptação cultural do Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool foram alcançadas e sua descrição detalhada de forma a evidenciar o rigor na condução do estudo.

Cultural adaptation of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool in Turkish children with cancer.

PURPOSE: Pain is very common among pediatric cancers. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT). METHODS: In this methodological study, language validity and content validity of the words in the third section of the scale, which was administered to children with cancer, were tested using the Q-sort method. The APPT was used to measure test-retest reliability once for each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of the chemotherapy protocols for 30 children. A reliability test was conducted using the APPT for 96 children with cancer. RESULTS: The number of words included in the third section of the APPT was reduced to 56 following the completion of the language and content validity using the Q-sort method. In the test-retest method, results from the three measures taken showed that the intra-class correlation coefficient was good. The internal consistency of the scale was also good (α = .78) in terms of the total number of body areas marked on body outline diagram, pain severity, pain intensity ratings, total number of word descriptors, and total number of sensory, affective, evaluative and temporal word descriptors. Correlations were found between the total number of body areas marked on the body outline diagram and the total number of word descriptors (r = .53), the pain severity and pain intensity ratings (r = .95), and the total number of word descriptors (r = .38). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the APPT was determined to be valid, reliable and easy to use for pediatric cancer patients.

Fatigue and health related quality of life in children and adolescents with cancer.

PURPOSE: The study examined the different dimensions of fatigue (general, sleep/rest, cognitive), health related quality of life (HRQL) (physical, emotional, cognitive, social), and the relationships between fatigue and HRQL in hospitalized children and adolescents with cancer in Brazil. METHOD: Participants were recruited from a pediatric oncology inpatient unit in a comprehensive cancer care hospital in southeast Brazil. They completed the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and the PedsQL Inventory of Quality of Life (Generic and Cancer module) once during hospitalization. RESULTS: The majority (66.7%) of the participants (n = 38; mean age 12.1 ± 2.9 years) had total fatigue scores < 75 on 0 to 100 scale; with the mean total fatigue score of 63.8 ± 18.5. The majority (72.2% generic; 83.3% cancer modules) had total PedsQL scores < 75 on 0 to 100 scale. The mean PedsQL score on generic module (61.1 ± 17.0) was similar to the mean PedsQL score cancer module (59.1 ± 16.7). Significant correlations were found between total fatigue and quality of life generic (r = 0.63, p = 0.000) and cancer module (r = 0.74, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The study is the first to report fatigue and health related quality of life in hospitalized children and adolescents with cancer in Brazil. Similar to experiences of other children in the world, our findings indicate that children and adolescents with cancer had problems with fatigue that were associated with low HRQL. Future studies are recommended to examine interventions (exercise, leisurely activities) that may alleviate fatigue and improve HRQL in pediatric patients with cancer.

Simvastatin reduces vaso-occlusive pain in sickle cell anaemia: a pilot efficacy trial.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a progressive vascular disease characterized by episodic vaso-occlusive pain. Despite the broad impact of inflammation on acute and chronic clinical manifestations of SCA, no directed anti-inflammatory therapies currently exist. Statins are cholesterol-lowering agents shown to confer protection from vascular injury by suppressing inflammation. We previously documented a reduction in soluble biomarkers of inflammation in patients with sickle cell disease treated with simvastatin. To determine the potential clinical efficacy of simvastatin, we treated 19 SCA patients with single daily dose simvastatin for 3 months and assessed changes from baseline in the frequency and intensity of diary-reported pain and levels of circulating nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-3, E-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Treatment with simvastatin resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency of pain (P = 0·0003), oral analgesic use (P = 0·003) and circulating hs-CRP (P = 0·003), soluble (s)E-selectin (P = 0·01), sICAM-1 (P = 0·02), sICAM-3 (P = 0·02) and sVEGF (P = 0·01). Simvastatin had no effect on pain intensity or levels of NOx, sP-selectin and sVCAM-1. The observed reductions in pain rate and markers of inflammation were greatest in subjects receiving hydroxycarbamide (HC), suggesting a synergistic effect of simvastatin. These results provide preliminary clinical data to support a larger trial of simvastatin in SCA.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Neurobehavioral Outcome in Children With Brain Tumors Treated With Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) often experience treatment-related neurocognitive deficits affecting quality of life (QOL), but systemic chemotherapy contributions to outcomes are unclear. Our objective was to relate brain tissue changes to neurocognitive and QOL effects after systemic myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue in CBTS. PROCEDURE: Regional brain volumes and diffusion tensor indices were correlated with neurocognitive, behavioral, and QOL measures, and compared between 8 CBTS (mean age 8.5 years, mean age at diagnosis 32 months), and 9 healthy controls (mean 9.3 years). RESULTS: Overall QOL, school, and psychosocial functioning were significantly lower in patients (P < .05). Most patients scored within normative ranges on neurocognitive and behavioral assessment. Elevated mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy, indicating gray and white matter injury, respectively, appeared in memory and executive functioning areas. Low scores on Inhibition on the Neuropsychological Assessment-II were correlated with elevated mean diffusivity in prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Brain injury, decreased QOL, and to a lesser extent, executive functioning deficits appear in CBTS treated with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue. Early cognitive and psychological assessment and intervention are warranted in this population.

Fatigue and Sleep Experiences at Home in Children and Adolescents With Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To (a) investigate fatigue and sleep patterns of children and adolescents at home and (b) examine factors associated with fatigue and sleep.. DESIGN: Descriptive with repeated measures
. SETTING: Homes of study participants in Los Angeles and Orange, California
. SAMPLE: 35 children and adolescents with cancer. METHODS: Data were collected using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, which was completed once at home by each participant, and sleep actigraphs, which were worn for five days at home following discharge from hospitalization
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: General fatigue, cognitive fatigue, sleep-rest fatigue, sleep duration, sleep quantity, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset
. FINDINGS: More than half of the participants had problems with fatigue at home. Significant correlations were found between sleep/rest fatigue and sleep duration. Factors that affected fatigue were age, gender, and cancer diagnosis. Adolescents had more problems with fatigue than children, and female patients had more problems with fatigue than male patients. Patients with sarcoma had more problems with fatigue than those with leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancer diagnoses. Adolescents slept less than children. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with cancer have fatigue and sleep problems at home that vary by age, gender, and cancer diagnosis
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Data from the current study support the need for nurses to provide teaching about fatigue and sleep at home in children and adolescents with cancer. Future studies are needed to examine interventions that may alleviate fatigue and improve sleep at home
.

Sensory and Thermal Quantitative Testing in Children With Sickle Cell Disease.

Very little is known about pain processing in sickle cell disease (SCD). We examined the mechanical and thermal sensory patterns in children with SCD. Children ages 10 to 17 years (n = 48; mean 13.7 ± 2.0 y; 22 females) participated in quantitative sensory testing (QST) procedures and completed a quality of life (PedsQL) and anxiety and depression scale (RCADS). Thirteen children showed evidence of abnormal pain processing, indicated by decreased sensitivity to heat or cold sensations (hypoesthesia), and pain experienced with nonpainful stimuli (allodynia). Pain ratings associated with cold and warm sensations were significantly higher in the subgroup with abnormal QST compared with the 35 SCD children with normal QST (P = 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The presence of hypoesthesia and allodynia in children with SCD may represent abnormal changes in the peripheral and central nervous system. Clinicians need to be aware that sickle cell pain may not only be inflammatory or ischemic secondary to vasoocclusion and hypoxia, but may also be neuropathic secondary to nerve injury or nerve dysfunction. Neuropathic pain in SCD may be the result of tissue damage after vaso-occlusion in neural tissues, whether peripherally or centrally. Future studies are needed to determine the presence of neuropathic pain in children with SCD.

Cultural adaptation to Brazil of the questionnaire Costs of caring for children with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: to present the cultural adaptation of the questionnaire Costs of caring for children with cancer, offering a valid and reliable tool to assess the economic repercussions of childhood cancer for Brazilian families. METHOD: it is a methodological research with a cross-sectional design. The methodological framework to validate the questionnaire was a combined process that included seven steps: translation to Portuguese; first translated consensus version; evaluation by Expert Committee; consensus on the Expert Committee version; back-translation; consensus of back-translated versions; semantic validation. The study was conducted in two phases: phase one was the translation and back-translations process, with five expert committee members. Phase two was the semantic validation, with 24 participants, who answered an instrument about their impressions of the questionnaire and suggested modifications. RESULTS: in phase one, items were included, excluded, and replaced to make the content equivalent and valid for use with Brazilian context. In phase two, the majority of the participants were mothers, who made suggestions about the relevance and clarity of the items in the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: the authors discussed these recommendations and made adaptations, turning the questionnaire into a valid and reliable tool for application.

Cultural adaptation to Brazil of the questionnaire Costs of caring for children with cancer / Adaptação cultural do instrumento Costs of caring for children with cancer para o Brasil / Adaptación cultural del instrumento Costs of caring for children with cancer para Brasil

OBJECTIVE: to present the cultural adaptation of the questionnaire Costs of caring for children with cancer, offering a valid and reliable tool to assess the economic repercussions of childhood cancer for Brazilian families. METHOD: it is a methodological research with a cross-sectional design. The methodological framework to validate the questionnaire was a combined process that included seven steps: translation to Portuguese; first translated consensus version; evaluation by Expert Committee; consensus on the Expert Committee version; back-translation; consensus of back-translated versions; semantic validation. The study was conducted in two phases: phase one was the translation and back-translations process, with five expert committee members. Phase two was the semantic validation, with 24 participants, who answered an instrument about their impressions of the questionnaire and suggested modifications. RESULTS: in phase one, items were included, excluded, and replaced to make the content equivalent and valid for use with Brazilian context. In phase two, the majority of the participants were mothers, who made suggestions about the relevance and clarity of the items in the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: the authors discussed these recommendations and made adaptations, turning the questionnaire into a valid and reliable tool for application. .

OBJETIVO: realizar a adaptação cultural do questionário Costs of caring for children with cancer que possa resultar em um instrumento válido e confiável para avaliar as repercussões econômicas do câncer infantojuvenil para famílias brasileiras. MÉTODO: este é um estudo metodológico de delineamento transversal. O percurso metodológico para validar este instrumento foi um processo combinado que incluiu sete etapas: tradução para o português; primeira versão consensual traduzida; avaliação pelo Comitê de Especialistas; versão consensual do Comitê de Especialistas; retrotradução; versão consensual da retrotradução e validação semântica. O estudo foi realizado em duas fases: a primeira fase abrangeu os processos de tradução e retrotradução e contou com um Comitê de Especialistas de cinco membros. A segunda fase compreendeu a validação semântica, com 24 participantes que responderam a um instrumento a respeito de suas impressões sobre o questionário e sugeriram modificações. RESULTADOS: na primeira fase, incluíram-se, excluíram-se e substituíram-se itens para adaptar o instrumento ao contexto brasileiro. Na segunda fase, a maioria dos participantes eram mães que fizeram sugestões sobre a relevância e a clareza dos itens do questionário. CONCLUSÃO: as autoras discutiram as recomendações e fizeram adaptações, tornando o questionário válido e confiável para aplicação. .

OBJETIVO: realizar la adaptación cultural del cuestionario Costs of caring for children with cancer, que pueda resultar en un instrumento válido y confiable para evaluar las repercusiones económicas del cáncer infanto-juvenil para familias brasileñas. MÉTODO: estudio metodológico de diseño trasversal. La trayectoria metodológica para validar este instrumento fue un proceso combinado que incluyó siete pasos: traducción al portugués; primer consenso de la versión traducida; evaluación por el Comité de Expertos; versión de consenso del Comité de Expertos; retro-traducción; consenso de las versiones retro-traducidas; validación semántica. El estudio se realizó en dos etapas: la primera fue la traducción y retro-traducción, con cinco participantes en el Comité de Expertos. La segunda fase fue la validación semántica, 24 participantes respondieron un instrumento en el que indicaron sus impresiones sobre el cuestionario y sugirieron modificaciones. RESULTADOS: en la primera fase, ítems fueron incluidos, excluidos y sustituidos para mejor adaptación al contexto brasileño. En la segunda fase, la mayoría de los participantes era madres, quienes hicieron sugerencias sobre la pertinencia y claridad de los ítems del cuestionario. CONCLUSIÓN: tras discusión entre las autoras sobre las sugestiones propuestas, fueron efectuadas adaptaciones, haciendo el cuestionario válido y confiable para aplicación. .

Structural brain alterations in children an average of 5 years after surgery and chemotherapy for brain tumors.

Young children with brain tumors are often treated with high-dose chemotherapy after surgery to avoid brain tissue injury associated with irradiation. The effects of systemic chemotherapy on healthy brain tissue in this population, however, are unclear. Our objective was to compare gray and white matter integrity using MRI procedures in children with brain tumors (n = 7, mean age 8.3 years), treated with surgery and high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic cell rescue (AuHCR) an average of 5.4 years earlier, to age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 9, mean age 9.3 years). Diffusion tensor imaging data were collected to evaluate tissue integrity throughout the brain, as measured by mean diffusivity (MD), a marker of glial, neuronal, and axonal status, and fractional anisotropy (FA), an index of axonal health. Individual MD and FA maps were calculated, normalized, smoothed, and compared between groups using analysis of covariance, with age and sex as covariates. Higher MD values, indicative of injury, emerged in patients compared with controls (p < .05, corrected for multiple comparisons), and were especially apparent in the central thalamus, external capsule, putamen, globus pallidus and pons. Reduced FA values in some regions did not reach significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Children treated with surgery and high-dose chemotherapy with AuHCR for brain tumors an average of 5.4 years earlier show alterations in white and gray matter in multiple brain areas distant from the tumor site, raising the possibility for long-term consequences of the tumor or treatment.

Adolescent pediatric pain tool for multidimensional measurement of pain in children and adolescents.

Very few multidimensional tools are available for measurement of pain in children and adolescents. We critically reviewed the scientific literature to examine the psychometrics and utility of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT), a multidimensional self-report tool that evaluates the intensity, location, and quality (including affective, evaluative, sensory, and temporal) dimensions of pain. The APPT is available in English and Spanish for children and adolescents, and was modeled after the McGill Pain Questionnaire in adults. We found good evidence for construct validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the APPT for the measurement of pediatric pain. The APPT was used to measure pain in children with different conditions, such as cancer, sickle cell disease, orthopedic, traumatic injuries, and allergy testing. Although the APPT was designed to assess the multiple dimensions of pain, the majority of the reports included results only for the intensity ratings. Unlike the numerical and pediatric faces rating scales, which are widely used in clinical practice and research, the APPT is not limited to the single dimension of pain intensity. It measures multiple dimensions, and may be able to discriminate between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. The APPT is one of a few multidimensional pain measures that can help to advance the science of pediatric pain and its management. When the APPT is used in practice or research, the multiple dimensions of pain may be characterized and compared in different painful conditions. It may guide the use of multimodal interventions in children and adolescents with a variety of pain conditions.

Central nervous system injury and neurobiobehavioral function in children with brain tumors: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Children with brain tumors present a complex set of factors when considering treatment decisions, including type and location of tumor and age of the child. Two-thirds of children will survive, but historically have had poorer neurocognitive and quality-of-life outcomes when compared with survivors of other childhood cancers. Delaying or forgoing cranial radiation completely is thought to lead to improved neurobiobehavioral outcomes, but there is still relatively little research in this area. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to review and consolidate what is known about the effects of cranial radiation and chemotherapy on normal brain tissue and to synthesize that information relative to neurobiobehavioral findings in children with brain tumors. METHODS: A literature search using PubMed and PsycINFO from 2000 to 2011 was done using a variety of terms related to childhood brain tumor treatment and outcome. A total of 70 articles were reviewed, and 40 were chosen for inclusion in the review based on most relevance to this population. RESULTS: Both cranial radiation and certain chemotherapy agents cause damage to or loss of healthy neurons, as well as a decrease in the number of progenitor cells of the hippocampus. However, in general, children treated with chemotherapy alone appear to have less of a neurobiobehavioral impact than those treated with cranial radiation. CONCLUSIONS: The trend toward delaying or postponing cranial radiation when possible may improve overall neurocognitive and quality-of-life outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses require knowledge of these issues when discussing treatment with families and with caring for long-term survivors.

Usability testing of a Smartphone for accessing a web-based e-diary for self-monitoring of pain and symptoms in sickle cell disease.

We examined the usability of smartphones for accessing a web-based e-Diary for self-monitoring symptoms in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). One group of participants (n = 10; mean age, 13.1 ± 2.4 y; 5 M; 5 F) responded to questions using precompleted paper-based measures. A second group (n = 21; mean age, 13.4 ± 2.4 y; 10 M; 11 F) responded based on pain and symptoms they experienced over the previous 12 hours. The e-Diary was completed with at least 80% accuracy when compared to paper-based measures. Symptoms experienced over the previous 12 hours included feeling tired (33.3%), headache (28.6%), coughing (23.8%), lack of energy/fatigue (19.0%), yellowing of the eyes (19.0%), pallor (19.0%), irritability (19.0%), stiffness in joints (19.0%), general weakness (14.3%), and pain (14.3%), rating on average as 2.0 ± 1.7 (on 0 to 10 scale). Overall, sleep was good (8.1 ± 1.4 on the 0 to 10 scale). In conclusion, children with SCD were able to use smartphones to access a web-based e-Diary for reporting pain and symptoms. Smartphones may improve self-reporting of symptoms and communication between patients and their health care providers, who may consequently be able to improve pain and symptom management in children and adolescents with SCD in a timely manner.

Nausea, pain, fatigue, and multiple symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of multiple symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer and to examine the overall symptom scores and global distress in patients reporting nausea, pain, and fatigue. DESIGN: Descriptive design with repeated measures. SETTING: Inpatient pediatric hematology-oncology unit. SAMPLE: 39 inpatients (ages 10-17) diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: Five-day data collection using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) Pediatric 10-18. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Thirty-one symptoms included in the MSAS Pediatric 10-18. FINDINGS: The most common symptoms (prevalence greater than 34%) were nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, pain, and feeling drowsy. Differences in symptom experiences occurred in the presence of nausea, pain, and fatigue compared to days when they were not reported (p < 0.001). Prevalence of pain and fatigue symptoms decreased over the five days (p < 0.05), but not nausea (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nausea, pain, and fatigue were among the most prevalent symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer; however, the most prevalent symptoms were not always the most severe or distressing. The presence of these symptoms significantly impacted symptom experience, including total burden of symptoms experienced by the child (i.e., global distress). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Additional examination of symptom management is needed. Nausea and its related symptoms have received little attention and more effective interventions are warranted. Multidimensional scales and the use of handheld electronic devices to track symptoms may be used to provide a more comprehensive assessment and treatment of symptoms.

Impact of childhood cancer on parents' relationships: an integrative review.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of cancer and the treatment decisions associated with it may cause uncertainty, stress, and anxiety among parents. Emotional tensions can affect parents' relationships during the trajectory of the child's cancer illness. We conducted an integrative review to examine the evidence related to the effects of childhood cancer on parents' relationships. METHODS: An integrative literature search of studies published between 1997 and 2009 was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychology Information (PsycINFO), PubMed, Scopus, CUIDEN, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS). The key words used were neoplasms, child, marriage, spouses, family relations, and nursing. Articles were reviewed if the (a) topic addressed parents' relationships during childhood cancer; (b) participants were mothers, fathers, or both; (c) design was either qualitative or quantitative; (d) language was English, Portuguese, or Spanish; (e) date of publication was between January 1997 and October 2009; and (f) abstract was available. RESULTS: Fourteen articles met the search criteria and were reviewed using Cooper's framework for integrative reviews. Four themes emerged: (a) changes in the parents' relationship during the trajectory of the child's illness; (b) difficulty in communication between couples; (c) gender differences in parental stress and coping; and (d) role changes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Findings revealed positive and negative changes in parents' relationships, communication, stress, and roles. Nurses need to assess the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatments on parent relationships, offer support and encouragement, and allow expression of feelings. Future research is needed to develop and test interventions that increase parents' potentials and strengthen relationships during the challenging trajectory of their children's cancer and treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The multiple sources of stress and uncertainty associated with a child's cancer diagnosis and treatment affect parents' relationships. Difficulties in communication appear frequently in parents' relationship. Our findings may guide healthcare professionals in identifying parents at risk for developing conflicts, communication problems, and lack of alignment between parents that could interfere with providing optimal care for their child with cancer. Healthcare professionals may promote dialogue and encourage parents to express their feelings, seek mutual support, and establish a partnership in dealing with the child's illness.