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

Author(s)

Rodrigues Nunes, Michelle Darezzo ; Nascimento, Lucila Castanheira ; Fernandes, Ananda Maria ; Batalha, Luis ; De Campos, Catarina ; Goncalves, Ana ; Andrade Biaggi Leite, Ana Carolina ; Alvarenga, Willyane de Andrade ; Garcia de Lima, Regina Aparecida ; Jacob, Eufemia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE; v. 28, n. 4, p. 10-pg., 2019-07-01.

Abstract

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/00091-3 - Assessment of fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer and its relations with sleep patterns and quality of life
• Grantee: Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues Nunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/20055-6 - Assessment of fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer and its relations with sleep patterns and quality of life
• Grantee: Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues Nunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate