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Penson A, Walraven I, Bronkhorst E, Grootenhuis MA, Maurice-Stam H, Loo MVDHVD, Tissing WJE, van der Pal HJH, de Vries ACH, Bresters D, Ronckers CM, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Neggers S, Versluys BAB, Louwerens M, Pluijm SMF, Blijlevens N, van Dulmen-den Broeder E, Kremer LCM, Knoop H, Loonen J. Different subtypes of chronic fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: A DCCSS LATER study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30951. [PMID: 38556733 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of the current study was to investigate whether subtypes of chronic fatigue (CF) can be identified in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and if so, to determine the characteristics of participants with a specific subtype. METHODS Participants were included from the nationwide DCCSS LATER cohort. The Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) was completed to assess fatigue. Participants with CF (scored ≥35 on the fatigue severity subscale and indicated to suffer from fatigue for ≥6 months) were divided into subgroups using two-step cluster analysis based on the CIS concentration, motivation, and physical activity subscales. Differences between groups on demographics, psychosocial, lifestyle, and treatment-related variables were determined using ANOVA and chi-square analyses (univariable) and multinomial regression analysis (multivariable). RESULTS A total of 1910 participants participated in the current study (n = 450 with CF; n = 1460 without CF). Three CF subgroups were identified: Subgroup 1 (n = 133, 29% of participants) had CF with problems in physical activity; Subgroup 2 (n = 111, 25% of participants) had CF with difficulty concentrating; and Subgroup 3 (n = 206, 46% of participants) had multi-dimensional CF. Compared to Subgroup 1, Subgroup 2 more often reported sleep problems, limitations in social functioning, and less often have more than two comorbidities. Subgroup 3 more often reported depression, sleep problems, a lower self-esteem, and limitations in social functioning and a lower educational level compared to Subgroup 1. CONCLUSION Different subgroups of CCS with CF can be identified based on fatigue dimensions physical activity, motivation and concentration. Results suggest that different intervention strategies, tailored for each subgroup, might be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Penson
- Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Walraven
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ewald Bronkhorst
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Wim J E Tissing
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Beatrix Children's Hospital/University of Groningen/University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Andrica C H de Vries
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorine Bresters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cécile M Ronckers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Neggers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medicine, section Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marloes Louwerens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia M F Pluijm
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Blijlevens
- Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Leontien C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Loonen
- Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Caru M, Levesque A, Dandekar S, Schmitz KH. Physical activity and psychological support can replace "another pill" to manage cancer-related symptoms in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:170. [PMID: 38649955 PMCID: PMC11036600 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04446-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The management of cancer-related symptoms with nonpharmacological treatment has been proven effective, but more studies are still required to strengthen the scientific evidence. Given the state of the evidence, one might wonder about the perceptions of pediatric oncology experts, healthcare providers and CAM providers regarding the use of supportive care in pediatric oncology. Related to this important question, Mora et al. recently published an exploratory qualitative study entitled "Supportive care for cancer-related symptoms in pediatric oncology: a qualitative study among healthcare providers" in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Journal. The data generated by the authors provided new insights and perspectives to the current literature. However, their findings must be put into perspective to increase the scope of the original article and to highlight that physical activity and psychosocial interventions are powerful nonpharmacological interventions to manage cancer-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Caru
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, USA.
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Ariane Levesque
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Smita Dandekar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn H Schmitz
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Walsh S, Mulraney M, McCarthy MC, De Luca CR. Fatigue in children who have recently completed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a longitudinal study. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2024; 22:27. [PMID: 38519964 PMCID: PMC10960388 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-024-02241-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined fatigue in patients treated for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over a 2-year period (3- to 27-months post-treatment completion), from the perspective of children and parent caregivers, compared to a healthy comparison group. METHODS Eighty-three patients (4-16 years at enrolment) and their parents, reported on the child's fatigue using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory- Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS), at 3- 15- and 27-months post-treatment completion, and 53 healthy children and their parents reported on fatigue across the same timepoints. RESULTS Parent proxy-reporting showed that parents of ALL patients reported more total fatigue than parents of the comparison group at all time points, with all subscales elevated (general, cognitive, and sleep/rest fatigue). In contrast, patient self-report of fatigue over this period differed from the comparison children for the general fatigue subscale only. Self-reported total fatigue was worse than the comparison group at the 27-month timepoint, with cognitive and sleep/rest fatigue symptoms contributing to this difference. Expected improvements in fatigue over time were not evident in either patient or parent report and no demographic risk factors were identified. Parents and children from both groups reported significantly more fatigue at all time points compared to commonly utilised normative population data. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated for childhood ALL are impacted by fatigue symptoms in the post-treatment and early survivorship period. These findings highlight that patients in the 2-years following treatment require increased symptom surveillance and may benefit particularly from interventions that target cognitive and sleep/rest fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Walsh
- Institute for Social Neuroscience, ISN Psychology, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - M Mulraney
- Institute for Social Neuroscience, ISN Psychology, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - M C McCarthy
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Cinzia R De Luca
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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Vanrusselt D, Sleurs C, Arif M, Lemiere J, Verschueren S, Uyttebroeck A. Biomarkers of fatigue in oncology: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 194:104245. [PMID: 38141868 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing side effect of cancer and treatment, affecting both patients during active treatment and survivors, negatively impacting quality of life. While its exact cause remains uncertain, various mechanisms such as immune dysfunction, HPA-axis dysfunction, and treatment toxicity are proposed. Inflammatory biomarkers of CRF have been explored in previous research, but non-inflammatory markers have not been comprehensively studied. This systematic review analysed 33 studies to identify non-inflammatory peripheral blood biomarkers associated with CRF. Promising markers included Hb, blood coagulation factors, BDNF, tryptophan, GAA, mtDNA, platinum, CA125, and cystatin-C. Inconsistent findings were observed for other markers like VEGF, leptin, and stress hormones. Most studies focused on adults. Research in pediatrics is limited. This review showed partial evidence for the inflammaging hypothesis (neurotoxicity due to neuro-inflammation) laying at the basis of CRF. Further research, especially in pediatrics, is needed to confirm this hypothesis and guide future biomarker studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deveny Vanrusselt
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Sleurs
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Mahnoor Arif
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Lemiere
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Sláma T, Belle FN, Strebel S, Christen S, Hägler-Laube E, Rössler J, Kuehni CE, von der Weid NX, Schindera C. Prevalence and factors associated with cancer-related fatigue in Swiss adult survivors of childhood cancer. J Cancer Surviv 2024; 18:135-143. [PMID: 37312001 PMCID: PMC10866786 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01413-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Reported prevalence of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) varies widely, and evidence on factors associated with CRF among CCS is limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of CRF and its associated factors among adult CCS in Switzerland. METHODS In a prospective cohort study, we invited adult CCS who survived at least 5 years since last cancer diagnosis, and were diagnosed when age 0-20 years and treated at Inselspital Bern between 1976 and 2015 to complete two fatigue-measuring instruments: the Checklist Individual Strength subjective fatigue subscale (CIS8R; increased fatigue 27-34, severe fatigue ≥ 35) and the numerical rating scale (NRS; moderate fatigue 4-6, severe fatigue 7-10). We collected information about previous cancer treatment and medical history, and calculated β coefficients for the association between CIS8R/NRS fatigue scores and potential determinants using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS We included 158 CCS (participation rate: 30%) with a median age at study of 33 years (interquartile range 26-38). Based on CIS8R, 19% (N = 30) of CCS reported increased fatigue, yet none reported severe fatigue. CRF was associated with female sex, central nervous system (CNS) tumors, sleep disturbance, and endocrine disorders. Lower CRF levels were observed among CCS age 30-39 years compared to those younger. CONCLUSIONS A considerable proportion of adult CCS reported increased levels of CRF. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS CCS who are female and < 30 years old, have a history of CNS tumor, report sleep disturbance, or have an endocrine disorder should be screened for CRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Sláma
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabiën N Belle
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sven Strebel
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- CANSEARCH Research Platform in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Salome Christen
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Hägler-Laube
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Rössler
- Pediatric Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia E Kuehni
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Pediatric Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas X von der Weid
- Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christina Schindera
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Penson A, Walraven I, Bronkhorst E, Grootenhuis MA, Maurice-Stam H, de Beijer I, van der Heiden-van der Loo M, Tissing WJE, van der Pal HJH, de Vries ACH, Bresters D, Ronckers CM, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Neggers S, Versluys BAB, Louwerens M, Pluijm SMF, Blijlevens N, van Dulmen-den Broeder E, Kremer LCM, Knoop H, Loonen J. Chronic fatigue in childhood cancer survivors is associated with lifestyle and psychosocial factors; a DCCSS LATER study. ESMO Open 2023; 8:102044. [PMID: 37922688 PMCID: PMC10774970 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with chronic fatigue (CF) in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Participants were included from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) LATER cohort, a nationwide cohort of CCS (≥5 years after diagnosis) and siblings as controls. Fatigue severity was assessed with the 'fatigue severity subscale' of the Checklist Individual Strength ('CIS-fatigue'). CF was defined as scoring ≥35 on the 'CIS-fatigue' and having fatigue symptoms for ≥6 months. Twenty-four parameters were assessed, categorized into assumed fatigue triggering, maintaining and moderating factors. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to investigate the association of these factors with CF. RESULTS A total of 1927 CCS participated in the study (40.7% of invited cohort), of whom 23.6% reported CF (compared with 15.6% in sibling controls, P < 0.001). The following factors were associated with CF: obesity [versus healthy weight, odds ratio (OR) 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.87], moderate physical inactivity (versus physical active, OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.67-3.34), poor sleep (yes versus no, OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.54-2.68), (sub)clinical anxiety (yes versus no, OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.10-2.19), (sub)clinical depression (yes versus no, OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.20-3.59), pain (continuous, OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.33-1.66), self-esteem (continuous, OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98), helplessness (continuous, OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.08-1.19), social functioning (continuous, OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) and female sex (versus male sex, OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.36-2.37). CONCLUSION CF is a prevalent symptom in CCS that is associated with several assumed maintaining factors, with lifestyle and psychosocial factors being the most prominent. These are modifiable factors and may therefore be beneficial to prevent or reduce CF in CCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Penson
- Radboud University Medical Center, Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Nijmegen.
| | - I Walraven
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen
| | - E Bronkhorst
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen
| | | | | | - I de Beijer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | | | - W J E Tissing
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Beatrix Children's Hospital/University of Groningen/University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen
| | | | - A C H de Vries
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D Bresters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | - C M Ronckers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - M M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMCU, Utrecht
| | - S Neggers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Medicine, Section Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | | | - M Louwerens
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden
| | - S M F Pluijm
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | - N Blijlevens
- Radboud University Medical Center, Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Nijmegen
| | | | - L C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
| | - H Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Loonen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Center of Expertise for Cancer Survivorship, Department of Hematology, Nijmegen
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