Health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of childhood brain tumors: a population-based cohort study

• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06905-x
• Publication Date: 2022-03-03T20:26:56Z
• Authors: Lisa Ljungman; Tiina Remes; Elisabeth Westin; Alina Huittinen; Tuula Lönnqvist; Kirsti Sirkiä; Heikki Rantala; Marja Ojaniemi; Marika Harila; Päivi Lähteenmäki; Pekka Arikoski; Anna Wikman; Arja Harila-Saari
• Keywords: Neurocognitive; Depression

Survivors of childhood brain tumors (BT) are at high risk for long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Still, knowledge about health-related quality life (HRQL) associated factors in this population is sparse. This study investigated HRQL its predictors survivors BT.Survivors BT (mean age = 28.1 years, SD 6.8, n 60) underwent clinical examination neurocognitive examination, completed self-rating questionnaires assessing (RAND-36) depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II). Socio-demographic information was gathered via a questionnaire. Tumor- treatment-related collected from medical records. Control group data were age-matched controls (n 146) without history cancer, randomly selected the local registry. Multiple linear regression models used to investigate HRQL; separate fitted each domain RAND-36.Male 27.0, 6.0, 39) reported significantly lower than male domains functioning, general health, vitality, social role limitations-emotional. Female 30.2 7.6, 21) comparable levels as female all except functioning. A higher burden late effects, not working/studying, being diagnosed with during adolescence, reporting current significant HRQL.Our results highlight that particular impaired HRQL. Also, point close relation between depression which should be acknowledged by follow-up care.