Abstract
Purpose
Increase of survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has made outcomes such as health-related quality of life
(HRQL) and economic burden more important. To make informed decisions on the use of healthcare resources, costs as well as
utilities need to be taken into account. Among the preference-based HRQL instruments, the Health Utilities Index (HUI) is
the most employed in pediatric cancer. Information on utility scores during ALL treatment and in long-term survivors is available,
but utility scores in short-term survivors are lacking. This study assesses utility scores, health state, and HRQL in short-term
(6 months to 4 years) ALL survivors.
(HRQL) and economic burden more important. To make informed decisions on the use of healthcare resources, costs as well as
utilities need to be taken into account. Among the preference-based HRQL instruments, the Health Utilities Index (HUI) is
the most employed in pediatric cancer. Information on utility scores during ALL treatment and in long-term survivors is available,
but utility scores in short-term survivors are lacking. This study assesses utility scores, health state, and HRQL in short-term
(6 months to 4 years) ALL survivors.
Results
Thirty-three survivors (median 1.5 years off treatment) reported 14 unique health states. The majority of survivors (61 %)
enjoyed a perfect health, but 21 % had three affected attributes. Overall, HRQL was nonsignificantly lower compared to the
norm, although the difference was large and may be clinically relevant. Cognition was significantly impaired (p = 0.03).
enjoyed a perfect health, but 21 % had three affected attributes. Overall, HRQL was nonsignificantly lower compared to the
norm, although the difference was large and may be clinically relevant. Cognition was significantly impaired (p = 0.03).
Conclusion
Although 61 % of short-term survivors of ALL report no impairment, the health status of the other patients lead to a clinically
important impaired HRQL compared to norms. Prospective studies assessing utility scores associated with pediatric ALL should
be performed, enabling valid and reliable cost-utility analyses for policy makers to make informed decisions.
important impaired HRQL compared to norms. Prospective studies assessing utility scores associated with pediatric ALL should
be performed, enabling valid and reliable cost-utility analyses for policy makers to make informed decisions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Brief Communication
- Pages 1-5
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0183-x
- Authors
- Raphaƫle R. L. van Litsenburg, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Jaap Huisman, Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Hein Raat, Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Gertjan J. L. Kaspers, Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reinoud J. B. J. Gemke, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343