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Abstract
<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Objectives were used to describe guardian proxy-report and child self-report quality of life (QoL) during chemotherapy for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.</p>
<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Patients enrolled on the phase 3 AML trial AAML1031 who were 2-18 years of age with English-speaking guardians were eligible. Instruments used were the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, Acute Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Assessments were obtained at the beginning of Induction 1 and following completion of cycles 2-4. Potential predictors of QoL included the total number of nonhematological grade 3-4 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) submissions.</p>
<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>There were 505 eligible guardians who consented to participate and 348 of their children provided at least one self-report assessment. The number of submitted CTCAE toxicities was significantly associated with worse physical health summary scores (β ± standard error (SE) -3.00 ± 0.69; P < 0.001) and general fatigue (β ± SE -2.50 ± 0.66; P < 0.001). Older age was significantly associated with more fatigue (β ± SE -0.58 ± 0.25; P = 0.022). Gender, white race, Hispanic ethnicity, private insurance status, risk status, bortezomib assignment, and duration of neutropenia were not significantly associated with QoL.</p>
<p><strong>DISCUSSION: </strong>The number of CTCAE toxicities was the primary factor influencing QoL among children with AML. Reducing toxicities should improve QoL; identifying approaches to ameliorate them should be a priority.</p>