Abstract
Background: Since the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 11, 2020, the tremendous strain on ill-prepared healthcare services affected the management of patients suffering from various comorbidities and added to the psychological burden. The study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of pediatric Hematology/Oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reflection of the quality of health care services and to assess anxiety levels and its impact on HRQoL. Methods: a cross-sectional study of 292 Egyptian children between 2.5 - 13 years with chronic hematological/oncological disorders categorized as bleeding/coagulation disorders, transfusion-dependent patients, and patients receiving chemotherapy. Validated Arabic versions of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale and Spence Children's Anxiety Scale were used for assessment of HRQoL and anxiety, respectively. Results: the mean age was 8.72 ± 3.66 years, 52.4% were males and 65.4% were transfusion-dependent patients. Almost 60% of children were aware of the pandemic and 60.3% had blood transfusion difficulties. Males had significantly lower anxiety levels than females (p < 0.001), and transfusion-dependent patients also had significantly lower anxiety levels than patients receiving chemotherapy (p < 0.001). Children who were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic had lower anxiety levels than those who were not (p = 0.006), while those suffering from fewer clinic days had higher anxiety levels (p = 0.02). Several factors have been shown to affect the HRQoL in the three patients’ categories and anxiety significantly reduced the three HRQoL domains (p < 0.001). The overall emotional functioning score was better than the physical and social aspects. Conclusion: This study highlights the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety level and hence the HRQoL of chronic hematological/oncological pediatric patients as a crucial step in guiding policies and interventions to maintain their psychological wellbeing.
355P Impact of comorbidities and rurality on treatment commencement, completion and outcomes, and health related quality of life, for geriatric oncology patients: Preliminary findings from a regional Australian study
