A preliminary study of the factors affecting the quality of life of children with brain tumors in China

WANG Guanyi; JIA Yibin; YE Yuqin; HE Xiaosheng

Abstract：Objective This study provided an initial exploration of the health-related quality of life(HRQOL)of pediatric brain tumour patients in China and examined the variables that might influence HRQOL.The results were expected to provide innovative insights to the strategies to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for this patient population.Methods In this study,convenience sampling was employed to distribute a general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of the PedsQLTM Brain Tumor Module(for ages 2～18)to a subset of pediatric brain tumor patients and their parents admitted to the Neurosurgical Department of Xijing Hospital from January 2010 to August 2021.Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors potentially influencing the scores on the questionnaire.Results Scores on the"Cognitive Problems"dimension of the questionnaire showed statistically significant differences based on the treatment status and school attendance of the patients(P＜0.05).The"Pain and Suffering"dimension scores revealed statistically significant differences based on medical diagnosis,presence of ventriculoperitoneal shunt,school attendance,tumor location,and parents'employment status(P＜0.05).Scores on the"Mobility and Balance"dimension were significantly different based on medical diagnosis,school attendance,tumor location,and parents'employment status(P＜0.05).The"Procedural Anxiety"dimension scores only showed statistically significant differences related to the presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt(P＜0.05).The"Nausea"dimension scores showed statistically significant differences solely in relation to the treatment status(P＜0.05).The"Worry"dimension scores of the patients showed statistically significant differences based on the patients'gender,age,and parents'age(P＜0.05).The total scale scores displayed statistically significant differences according to treatment status,school attendance,tumor location,parents'employment status,and family economic status(P＜0.05).Conclusion This research undertook an initial exploration of the health-related quality of life(HRQOL)in pediatric patients with brain tumors in China.The results suggest that HRQOL in these children was influenced by factors such as treatment regimen,school participation,tumor site,parents'employment,and family financial status,highlighting that the above aspects deserved increased consideration and potential intervention.