Health-related quality of life of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal improvements on social functioning and fatigue

Carla Vlooswijk; Silvie H M Janssen; Lonneke V van de Poll-Franse; Rhodé Bijlsma; Suzanne E J Kaal; J Martijn Kerst; Jacqueline M Tromp; Monique E M M Bos; Roy I Lalisang; Janine Nuver; Mathilde C M Kouwenhoven; Winette T A van der Graaf; Olga Husson

doi:10.1186/s41687-023-00629-0

Health-related quality of life of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal improvements on social functioning and fatigue

J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2023 Sep 13;7(1):93. doi: 10.1186/s41687-023-00629-0.

Authors

Carla Vlooswijk¹, Silvie H M Janssen^{2

3}, Lonneke V van de Poll-Franse^{1

2

4}, Rhodé Bijlsma⁵, Suzanne E J Kaal⁶, J Martijn Kerst³, Jacqueline M Tromp⁷, Monique E M M Bos⁸, Roy I Lalisang⁹, Janine Nuver¹⁰, Mathilde C M Kouwenhoven¹¹, Winette T A van der Graaf^{3

8}, Olga Husson^{12

13

14}

Affiliations

¹ Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, 3511 DT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
² Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁷ Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁸ Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, GROW-School of Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht UMC+ Comprehensive Cancer Center, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
¹⁰ Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
¹¹ Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
¹² Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. o.husson@nki.nl.
¹³ Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. o.husson@nki.nl.
¹⁴ Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. o.husson@nki.nl.

Abstract

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among long-term Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (AYACS) and an age- and sex-matched normative population was examined. Although the HRQoL of AYACS was worse compared to the normative population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scores of AYACS improved over time in contrast to the normative population. Presumably, AYACS are used to adjusting their lives to stressful life events. Furthermore, the lockdown may have been beneficial for AYACS who face difficulties fully participating in society due to the impact of cancer. AYACS who encounter HRQoL issues could benefit from support interventions to empower them and build resilience.

Keywords: Adolescents and young adults; COVID-19; Cancer; Health-related quality of life; Social functioning; Survivorship.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Cancer Survivors*
Communicable Disease Control
Fatigue / epidemiology
Humans
Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Pandemics
Quality of Life
Social Interaction
Young Adult