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Health-related quality of life in survivors of BMT for paediatric malignancy: a systematic review of the literature

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 42, pages 73–82 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

We review evidence concerning health-related quality of life (HRQL) following paediatric haemopoietic stem cell transplant. The aims are to determine (1) HRQL compared with population norms; (2) changes in HRQL over time and (3) relations between pre-transplant variables (disease, individual and family resources) and survivor HRQL. Five databases were searched for articles published between January 1990 and February 2008. A total of 15 studies including 12 separate cohorts were identified. (1) HRQL was comparable with or better than population norms 6 months to 8 years post transplant. (2) HRQL was already compromised pre-transplant, further impaired immediately following conditioning, but improved 4–12 months post transplant. (3) Pre-transplant predictors of HRQL include family functioning and individual resources (for example, social skills). Identification of pre-transplant variables associated with long-term HRQL is invaluable to inform early psychological intervention and facilitate positive adjustment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    S-A Clarke & C Eiser

  2. Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    R Skinner

  3. Children's Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    R Skinner

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  1. S-A Clarke
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  2. C Eiser
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  3. R Skinner
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Correspondence to C Eiser.

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Clarke, SA., Eiser, C. & Skinner, R. Health-related quality of life in survivors of BMT for paediatric malignancy: a systematic review of the literature. Bone Marrow Transplant 42, 73–82 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.156

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