Contributions
Abstract: PB1640
Type: Publication Only
Background
Leukemia is the most prevalent pediatric malignancy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being the most common accounting for 75% of leukemia cases with about 2400 newly diagnosed children each year worldwide. Treatment of ALL requires long course chemotherapy ranging up to 48 months with 20% possibility of relapse. Affected children receive in-patient treatment at the clinic for nearly six months for leukemia and related complications. The diagnosis of childhood leukemia and its stressful treatment, not only adversely impact the physical and psychological health of the children with leukemia, but also impose heavy psychological burden on their parent.
Aims
The study aimed to determine prevalance of condition of depression and self conception of children with leukemia and compare with healty children.
Methods
The study was conducted in 24 voluntary children with leukemia and 25 healthy children aged 9-16 years. Children with leukemia were evaluated at the time of diagnosis, end of induction treatment and end of consolidation treatment, just before the maintenence treatment, respectively. Psychological data including depression and low self-concept were assessed by Child Depression Scale and Piers Harris Self-Cocept Scale. The changes in psychological conditions due to long stay at the hospital were investigated. Demographic data included age, sex, school achievement, parents education, socioeconomic condition, loss of first degree relatives.
Results
The prevalance of depressive disorder in children with leukemia at the end of induction and at the end of consolidation treatment were significantly increased. Self-Concept Scales were found lower in these patients.
Conclusion
The children with ALL receive long course chemotherapy and become distanced from their family, school and milieu and as a result, these patients are vulnarable to psychological problems. They are more depressive and have lower self-conception comparing to healthy children. It is important to provide psychological support to these children in addition to their chemotherapy.
Session topic: 2. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - Clinical
Keyword(s): Depression, Complications, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Abstract: PB1640
Type: Publication Only
Background
Leukemia is the most prevalent pediatric malignancy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being the most common accounting for 75% of leukemia cases with about 2400 newly diagnosed children each year worldwide. Treatment of ALL requires long course chemotherapy ranging up to 48 months with 20% possibility of relapse. Affected children receive in-patient treatment at the clinic for nearly six months for leukemia and related complications. The diagnosis of childhood leukemia and its stressful treatment, not only adversely impact the physical and psychological health of the children with leukemia, but also impose heavy psychological burden on their parent.
Aims
The study aimed to determine prevalance of condition of depression and self conception of children with leukemia and compare with healty children.
Methods
The study was conducted in 24 voluntary children with leukemia and 25 healthy children aged 9-16 years. Children with leukemia were evaluated at the time of diagnosis, end of induction treatment and end of consolidation treatment, just before the maintenence treatment, respectively. Psychological data including depression and low self-concept were assessed by Child Depression Scale and Piers Harris Self-Cocept Scale. The changes in psychological conditions due to long stay at the hospital were investigated. Demographic data included age, sex, school achievement, parents education, socioeconomic condition, loss of first degree relatives.
Results
The prevalance of depressive disorder in children with leukemia at the end of induction and at the end of consolidation treatment were significantly increased. Self-Concept Scales were found lower in these patients.
Conclusion
The children with ALL receive long course chemotherapy and become distanced from their family, school and milieu and as a result, these patients are vulnarable to psychological problems. They are more depressive and have lower self-conception comparing to healthy children. It is important to provide psychological support to these children in addition to their chemotherapy.
Session topic: 2. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - Clinical
Keyword(s): Depression, Complications, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia