The relation between health-related quality of life, treatment adherence and disease severity in a paediatric sickle cell disease sample

Costs and impact of disease in adults with sickle cell disease: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

We assessed the feasibility to estimate illness burden in adults with SCD, investigated factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and estimated societal burden. We recruited 32 participants and collected data on fatigue, HRQoL, and work productivity and activity impairment via patient survey. Health care utilization was abstracted for the 12 months before enrollment using medical chart review. Mean age was 36.7 years; 84.4% of participants had hemoglobin SS or Sβthal0 disease, and 81.3% reported chronic pain (experiencing pain on ≥3 days per week in the past 6 months). Mean EQ-5D-3L visual analogue scale score was 63.4 and the index score was 0.79. The mean fatigue score was 57.9. Higher fatigue score was correlated with lower EQ-5D index score (correlation coefficient r = -0.35; P = .049) and Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me) scores, including pain (r = -0.47; P = .006), sleep (r = -0.38; P = .03), and emotion scores (r = -0.79; P < .0001). The number of hospitalizations was negatively correlated with HRQoL (all P < .05). Patients who reported chronic pain had significantly lower mean ASCQ-Me sleep scores (48.3 vs 57.1; P = .04) and EQ-5D index scores (0.72 vs 0.89; P = .002) than those without chronic pain. Mean estimated annual per person costs were $51 779 (median, $36 366) for total costs, $7619 ($0) for indirect costs (estimated from lost earnings of participants), and $44 160 ($31 873) for medical costs. Fatigue, SCD complications, hospitalization, and chronic pain negatively affected HRQoL. This sample experienced a high economic burden, largely from outpatient doctor visits.

Exploring health-related quality of life, exercise and alcohol use in adolescents with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and health behaviours of adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) and healthy siblings, drawing on Gap theory which suggests HRQL is the discrepancy between current and ideal selves.

DESIGN

Twenty-three adolescents with SCD and 21 healthy siblings aged 13 to 17 years participated in eight focus groups.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified three themes: learning to accept SCD, coping with SCD and influences on health behaviours. Adolescents appear to have normalised and adapted to SCD. Adolescents with SCD have learnt effective coping strategies, such as moderating engagement in exercise. Unlike heathy siblings, they were not encouraged to exercise by parents but were content with their level of participation. Both groups were influenced to exercise by role models or wanting to socialise, and influenced to drink alcohol by peers, but there was limited understanding of the potential negative impacts of alcohol on SCD.

CONCLUSION

There does not appear to be a discrepancy between adolescents' current and ideal selves, providing optimism about their HRQL. Further consideration of engaging in healthy behaviours is needed, but it is important to strike a balance so that modifications to lifestyle do not impair HRQL.

The Protective Role of Self-Regulation for HRQOL of Adolescents with a Chronic Physical Health Condition

The Protective Role of Self-Regulation for HRQOL of Adolescents with a Chronic Physical Health Condition A physical chronic condition comes with many challenges and negatively impacts the healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) of those affected. Self-regulation plays an important role in successfully coping with the demands of a chronic condition. In line with a resource-oriented approach, this study aimed to investigate themoderating effect of self-regulation on the relationship between disease severity andHRQOL. For this, 498 adolescents with cystic fibrosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or type-1 diabetes aged of 12-21 years (M= 15.43, SD= 2.07) were recruited through three patient registers. Subjective disease severity, self-regulation (Brief Self-Control- Scale), andHRQOL (DISABKIDSChronicGenericMeasure)were examined at two time points (T₁ and T₂, one year apart). Cross-sectional analysis showed significant effects of subjective disease severity and self-regulation on HRQOL. Prospective analysis, in which HRQOL at T₁ was controlled for, revealed that disease severity only predicted emotion-related HRQOL at T₂; selfregulation emerged as a predictor for HRQOL subscales independence, emotion, inclusion, exclusion, and treatment. A significantmoderation effect of self-regulation was found on the relationship between disease severity and HRQOL emotion. Our results highlight the positive impact of self-regulation on quality of life, specifically in the context of chronic conditions and represent a starting point for prevention and intervention approaches.

Patient-Reported Experiences in Voxelotor-Treated Children and Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: A Semistructured Interview Study

Objective

Voxelotor is a first-in-class sickle hemoglobin-polymerization inhibitor that was approved in 2019 by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) aged ≥12 years; in 2021, the approval was extended to children with SCD aged 4 to 11 years. Additionally, both the Ministry of Health and Prevention for the United Arab Emirates and the European Commission granted marketing authorization for voxelotor in September 2021 and February 2022, respectively, for treatment of SCD in adults and pediatric patients aged ≥12 years. Thus, additional information on the patient experience with voxelotor would be useful for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. The purpose of this study was to conduct semistructured interviews in an effort to understand the experiences and perspectives of voxelotor-treated patients with SCD.

Methods

One-time semistructured interviews with adults, adolescents, and children with SCD and their primary caregivers were conducted in the United States. Twenty-three adults and adolescents were recruited across 4 clinical sites, and 10 children-caregiver dyads were recruited from a single site. The interview was designed to elicit patient perspectives on symptomatic changes with voxelotor and the impact of treatment on patients' perceived health-related quality of life. Individual interview transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analytic approach, and concept saturation was assessed in both cohorts.

Results

Most patients reported improvements in their SCD symptoms with voxelotor treatment, specifically regarding pain crises, jaundice, and fatigue. Almost all patients experienced improvements in self-reported health-related quality of life with voxelotor treatment.

Conclusions

This study provides patient and caregiver perspectives on the symptomatic benefits of voxelotor treatment. These findings not only highlight the benefits of voxelotor treatment in improving symptoms and increasing health-related quality of life across the entire SCD population but also can inform further research on SCD-specific patient-reported outcomes.

A qualitative exploration of health-related quality of life and health behaviours in children with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and health behaviours of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and healthy siblings, drawing on Gap theory, which suggests HRQL is the discrepancy between current and ideal selves.

DESIGN

Thirty-two interviews, facilitated by children's drawings of their current and ideal selves were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Two themes were identified. First, limitations of SCD and adjusted expectations. Children with SCD report some discrepancy in HRQL as they would like to participate in more physical activity, but overall, they appear to have normalised their condition and adjusted their expectations in the context of the limits of their condition. Healthy siblings worry about their sibling and have greater expectations about engaging in adventurous activities and for their future. Second, coping with SCD. Children have limited social support, although children with SCD seek support from their mothers. They also modify health behaviours, like reducing exercise to help prevent and cope with sickle-related pain.

CONCLUSION

Children have some discrepancies in their HRQL but adjusted expectations among children with SCD may reduce discrepancy. Adapting health behaviours may help to cope with SCD but it is important that reductions in physical activity do not impair HRQL.

Impact of adherence to hydroxyurea on health outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease

Although new pharmaceutical therapy options have recently become available, hydroxyurea is still the most commonly used and affordable treatment option for sickle cell disease (SCD). This study aimed to update the evidence on hydroxyurea adherence and its association with clinical and economic outcomes among individuals with SCD. This retrospective study used Texas Medicaid claims data from 09/2011-08/2016. Individuals were included if they had ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient SCD diagnoses, had ≥1 hydroxyurea prescription, were 2-63 years of age, and were continuously enrolled in Texas Medicaid between 6 months before and 1 year after the first hydroxyurea prescription fill date (index date). Hydroxyurea adherence (Medication Possession Ratio; MPR), vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC)-related outcomes, healthcare utilization and expenditures (SCD-related and all-cause) during the 1 year following the index date were measured. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to address the study objectives. Among 1035 included individuals (age: 18.8 ± 12.5 years, female: 52.1%), 20.9% were adherent to hydroxyurea (defined as MPR≥0.8). After adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics, compared to being non-adherent, adhering to hydroxyurea was significantly associated with: a lower risk (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.480, p = .0007) and hazard rate (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.748, p = .0005) of a VOC event, fewer VOC events (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] = 0.767, p = .0009), fewer VOC-related hospital days (IRR = 0.593, p = .0003), fewer all-cause and SCD-related hospitalizations (IRR = 0.712, p = .0008; IRR = 0.707, p = .0008, respectively) and emergency department visits (IRR = 0.768, p = .0037; IRR = 0.746, p = .0041, respectively), and lower SCD-related total healthcare expenditures (IRR = 0.796, p = .0266). Efforts to increase adherence to hydroxyurea could improve clinical and economic outcomes among individuals with SCD.

Association of Sickle Cell Pain & Symptoms on Health-Related Quality of Life Among Pediatric Patients

CONTEXT

Sickle cell disease (SCD) may cause significant complications leading to increased disease burden and poor psychosocial functioning. Yet, little is known about specific disease-related variables associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of this population.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to discover whether pain and disease-related symptoms are associated with the HRQOL of pediatric patients diagnosed with SCD.

METHODS

A total of 150 patient (ages 8-17 years) and parent dyads were enrolled in this cross-sectional quantitative research study. Measures of HRQOL were gathered using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) 3.0 SCD module, while the frequency of pain and SCD-related symptoms was reported by parent-proxy. Linear regression was deployed to analyze whether pain and SCD-related symptoms separately predict HRQOL scores in youth with SCD.

RESULTS

Study results revealed that the frequency of pain (P < 0.001) and SCD-related symptoms (P < 0.001) predicted lower HRQOL scores in children and adolescents with SCD. Moreover, age (P < 0.05) emerged as a significant predictor of HRQOL in this sample.

CONCLUSION

Pain and disease-related symptoms separately predicted lower HRQOL scores in the study sample, which shows that other SCD-related symptoms aside from pain has the potential to negatively impact youth with SCD. Implications for these findings extend the knowledge of clinicians in the healthcare setting to recognize the detriment of other SCD-related symptoms that may be overlooked, as pain is often the focus.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Adherence to Hydroxyurea and Other Disease-Modifying Therapies among Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy with increasing global prevalence resulting in pain episodes and multiorgan complications. Complications of SCD have been shown to adversely impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL) comprised of physical, social, and emotional domains; hence, HRQOL measures can serve as an effective evaluator of disease burden. Hydroxyurea (HU) and other disease-modifying therapies have demonstrated to significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with SCD. Medication adherence is an essential mediator of the clinical benefits of these therapies; low adherence has been shown to increase disease burden and healthcare utilization. This systematic literature review intends to determine the association between adherence to disease-modifying therapies and HRQOL in patients with SCD.

Methods

We found a total of 12 articles involving 788 participants, which included both patients with SCD and caregivers/parents. Adherence was measured using self-report instruments, laboratory markers, such as fetal hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume, and mHealth medication trackers. HRQOL was measured using self-report instruments.

Results

All studies demonstrated a correlation between higher HU adherence and better HRQOL scores. Higher HU adherence was associated with lower pain impact, less frequent pain episodes, less fatigue, and improved physical function and mobility, reflecting better physical HRQOL outcomes. Higher adherence was also associated with improved emotional response, decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and better social functioning and peer relationships. In addition, our findings indicated that having less frequent barriers to HU adherence was associated with better HRQOL scores. No studies evaluated HRQOL outcomes in relation to adherence to l-glutamine, voxelotor, or crizanlizumab.

Conclusions

Optimizing HU adherence has the potential to improve HRQOL in patients with SCD in addition to reducing healthcare utilization and improving treatment satisfaction. Addressing barriers to HU adherence can positively strengthen the relationship between adherence and HRQOL to potentially improve patient outcomes.

Health-Related Quality of Life Assessments by Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease and Their Parents in Portugal

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) can be used to measure the impact of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on the child and their family and is generally reduced. No research has yet measured HRQL in Portuguese pediatric SCD patients. Objectives: (1) Describe and compare HRQL of children with SCD reported by them and their parents; (2) Compare with a pediatric population with no SCD; (3) Find predictive factors of HRQL in SCD children. Methods: Descriptive, case-control study that included sixty-eight children and adolescents with SCD (aged 3 to 18 years) and their parents. Control group—children with no SCD, matched by age, gender and ethnic background. HRQL was assessed using the multidimensional self-report PedsQL^® 4.0 Generic Scales. Summary scores for overall HRQL and subscale scores for physical, emotional, social and school functioning were compared within groups (children-parents) and with the control group. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were analyzed to find predictive factors of HRQL in pediatric SCD patients. Results: Children with SCD and their parents had significantly lower overall and all subdomains of HRQL, compared with the control group. Children with SCD also rated lower when compared with their parents (only significant for social functioning), with low to moderate correlations. Children and parent reports declined with increasing age. Higher pain frequency was associated with worse total and psychosocial domains of HRQL. The number of hospitalizations was a predictor of worse school score, and female gender was a predictor of worse emotional score. Conclusions: SCD significantly affects children’s HRQL. Parents can provide a good proxy report, although both evaluations are beneficial. Disease status, like number of hospitalizations and frequency of pain, influences HRQL. Interventions in SCD should consider improvements in HRQL as an important outcome.

The Correlation Between Surgical Procedures and Quality of Life Among Sickle Cell Disease Patients: A Perspective Saudi Study

INTRODUCTION

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is among the common prevalent diseases in Saudi Arabia. It is associated with several complications that sometimes necessitate surgical procedures. Those patients can also have a lower quality of life (QoL) due to several reasons. Our aim in this study is to highlight the association between sociodemographic data, clinical data, and SCD-related surgeries in patients with their QoL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed using a validated Arabic version of the World Health Organization QoL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire distributed in electronic form. Male and female Arabic speakers (18+ years old) of Saudi origin were included in this study; those who did not meet these criteria were excluded.

RESULTS

We distributed 309 questionnaires to the targeted subjects; however, only 204 met our inclusion criteria. Our findings revealed 135 female respondents and 69 male respondents. Interestingly, splenectomy was not significantly associated with a difference in all aspects of QoL in SCD patients. However, the data showed significantly lower respective mean scores for physical health (p=0.002 & p=0.022) and overall QoL (p=0.024 & p=0.042) for those who underwent cholecystectomy and hip arthroplasty. In contrast, shoulder arthroplasty appeared to be associated with significantly lower mean scores for physical health (T=-2.597; p=0.010) and the environmental aspect of QoL (T=-2.016; p=0.045).

CONCLUSION

Cholecystectomy, hip arthroplasty, and shoulder arthroplasty were significantly associated with lower QoL in SCD patients.

Health-related quality of life in infants, toddlers and young children with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young children with sickle cell disease living in a European country.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional evaluation of TNO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire (TAPQOL, 0-1 year) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL, 2-7 years) data was conducted. Study participants included caregivers of children with sickle cell disease aged 0-7 years attending the sickle cell centre at the Erasmus Medical Center or the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between April 2012 and October 2020. Comparisons were made with normative data on HRQoL in the general paediatric population.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 136 caregivers of 136 children. In children aged 0-5 years, no significant differences emerged between children with sickle cell disease and the general population. However, in children aged 5-7 years, children with sickle cell disease scored significantly lower on all subscales except for emotional functioning. Multiple regression models showed a negative association between age and HRQoL. No association was found between HRQoL and disease severity or sociodemographic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that HRQoL is negatively correlated with age in young children with sickle cell disease with a significantly lower HRQoL in 5- to 7-year-olds when compared to the general population. Our study underlines the importance of measuring HRQoL in young children to identify patients with impaired HRQoL early in life in order to be able to intervene accordingly. Future research should focus on deepening the knowledge of factors influencing HRQoL in children with sickle cell disease.

Real-Life experience with hydroxyurea in patients with sickle cell disease: Results from the prospective ESCORT-HU cohort study

Several controlled studies have evidenced good efficacy and short-term and mid-term safety profiles for hydroxyurea (HU), which has become the cornerstone for prevention of sickle-cell disease (SCD)-related vaso-occlusive crises. However, there are few large-scale reports on its long-term use and certain caregivers and patients have concerns about its safety. Following the licensing of HU in Europe for children and adults with severe forms of SCD, ESCORT-HU was designed as a Phase IV observational cohort study. It included 1906 participants, of whom 55% were adults. The most common hemoglobin (Hb) genotypes were HbSS (84.7%) and HbSβ+ (7.0%). The median duration of follow-up was 45 months, for a total of 7309 patient-years of observation. The dose of HU after 1 year was 20.6 mg/kg/d for children and 16.3 mg/kg/d for adults. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of vaso-occlusive episodes lasting >48 h, acute chest syndrome episodes, hospitalizations, and the percentage of patients requiring blood transfusions within the first 12 months relative to the year before enrolment. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were the most commonly reported adverse effects. No new HU toxicity was identified. Overall, 125 pregnancies were reported in 101 women and no malformations were observed in the neonates. There were 12 pregnancies for partners of male patients treated with HU. One case of fatal myelodysplastic syndrome was reported, for which a causal association with HU could not be excluded. This cohort study of patients with SCD highlights the positive benefit-to-risk ratio of HU in children and adults.

The association between hydroxyurea adherence and opioid utilization among Texas Medicaid enrollees with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND: Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) suffer from recurrent catastrophic pain crises that are often managed by opioid analgesics. Being adherent to hydroxyurea has been associated with decreased health care resource use for pain; however, evidence of its association with opioid use is limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine if adherence to hydroxyurea is associated with opioid use among patients with SCD. METHODS: This retrospective study used Texas Medicaid data from September 1, 2011, to August 31, 2016 (study period). The index date was the date of hydroxyurea initiation. Patients who were aged 2-63 years at the index date, had ≥ 1 inpatient or ≥ 2 outpatient SCD diagnoses during the study period, had ≥ 1 hydroxyurea prescription during the identification period (September 1, 2011-August 31, 2015), had no diagnosis of other indications for hydroxyurea during the study period, and were continuously enrolled for at least 12 months after the index date were included. Hydroxyurea adherence was measured using medication possession ratio (MPR). The study outcomes (measured 1-year post-index) were (a) opioid use; (b) number of opioid prescriptions; (c) strong opioid use (morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and methadone); (d) number of strong opioid prescriptions; (e) high-dose opioid use (≥ 50 mg morphine milligram equivalent [MME]); and (f) days supply for opioid prescriptions. Covariates included demographic (age and gender) and clinical (vaso-occlusive crisis [VOC], avascular necrosis, iron overload, acute chest syndrome, and blood transfusion) characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate (chi-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests), multiple logistic regression, and negative binomial regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 1,146 patients (18.3 [12.3] years) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 19.6% were adherent to hydroxyurea (defined as MPR ≥ 80%) and mean (SD) MPR was 48.3% (29.7%). In the 1 year following hydroxyurea initiation, 923 (80.5%) patients had ≥ 1 opioid prescription with 7.6 (9.4) opioid prescriptions per patient, while 259 (22.6%) patients had ≥ 1 strong opioid prescription with 1.5 (4.4) strong opioid prescriptions per patient. Average (SD) opioid dose was 41.7 (74.3) mg MME, and 27.1% had high daily MME doses (≥ 50 mg MME). Average (SD) opioid days supply was 83.1 (112.2) days. After adjusting for covariates, compared with being nonadherent, being adherent to hydroxyurea was associated with a 50.5% decreased risk of having strong opioids (OR = 0.495, 95% CI = 0.278-0.879, P = 0.0165). Additionally, SCD-related complications (VOC, avascular necrosis, and iron overload) and older age were significant factors associated with opioid use and higher MME. Post hoc analyses showed that being adherent to hydroxyurea was significantly associated with lower probabilities of experiencing SCD-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that patients with SCD are moderately adherent to hydroxyurea. Being adherent to hydroxyurea was found to be associated with a lower risk of receiving a prescription for strong opioids. Findings suggest that close monitoring and interventions to improve adherence may help mitigate strong opioid use among these patients. DISCLOSURES: This research did not receive any specific funding. Barner and Kang report grants from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, unrelated to this work. A part of this study was presented as a poster at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) 2019 Annual Meeting and Exposition (March 22-25, 2019, Seattle, WA) and received the 2019 APhA-APRS Presentation Award in the APhA-APRS Contributed Research Paper, Graduate Student/Fellow/Postdoctoral Scholar category.

Quality of Life of Latino and Non-Latino Youth With Sickle Cell Disease as Reported by Parents and Youth

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 10% to 15% of people affected by sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States are Latino, many of whom are primary Spanish speakers. A key tool for self-reported outcome measures, the Pediatric QOL Inventory (PedsQL) SCD module, was not available in Spanish. Here, we assess the linguistic validity of a Spanish translation and compare perception of disease-specific and generic quality of life (QOL) in a sample of Latino and non-Latino children with SCD and their parents.

METHOD

Following forward and backward translation, Spanish-speaking child-parent dyads linguistically validated the translated instruments. Disease-specific and generic QOL perception of 28 child-parent dyads who participated in a clinical feasibility trial, HABIT (Hydroxyurea Adherence for Personal Best in Sickle Cell Disease), were compared by ethnicity. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, absolute score differences, and minimal clinically important differences (MCID).

RESULTS

The translated questionnaire required no further language changes. QOL scores were higher for Latino children and parents compared with non-Latinos, with score differences exceeding MCIDs for total scores and the majority of subscale scores.

CONCLUSION

Spanish language PedsQL SCD instruments allow measurement of QOL in Spanish-speaking Latino children with SCD and their parents. Score differences for Latinos mostly exceeded MCIDs, suggesting that these differences are clinically meaningful. Confirmation of these findings is warranted.

Family Functioning, Medical Self-Management, and Health Outcomes Among School-Aged Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Mediation Model

Background

Informed by the Pediatric Self-Management Model, the present study tested relationships between parent and family functioning, sickle cell disease (SCD) self-management, and health outcomes for children with SCD.

Method

83 children with SCD and a parent completed baseline data as part of a larger investigation of a family-based, problem-solving intervention for children with SCD (M age = 8.47). Youth and parents completed a measure of child health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and parents completed measures of family efficacy, parenting stress, and SCD self-management. SCD pain episodes and urgent health utilization information over the past year were obtained via medical chart review.

Results

SCD self-management mediated the relationship between parent-reported family efficacy and parent proxy HRQOL, as well as the relationship between parenting stress and child and parent proxy HRQOL. Mediation models were nonsignificant for outcomes beyond HRQOL, including SCD pain episodes and urgent health utilization.

Conclusion

Fostering family efficacy and reducing parenting stress may be meaningful intervention targets for improving SCD self-management and child HRQOL among school-aged children. Although findings were consistent with the Pediatric Self-Management Model in terms of HRQOL, the model was not supported for pain episodes or urgent health utilization, highlighting the need for multi-method, longitudinal research on the SCD self-management behaviors that are linked to preventable health outcomes.

NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objective:

To verify the impact of avascular necrosis of the femoral head on the quality of life of children and adolescents with Perthes disease and sickle cell disease.

Methods:

A comparative study including 24 children between eight and 18 years old with avascular necrosis of the femoral head secondary to Perthes disease and sickle cell disease (Group with Necrosis) and 24 children considered asymptomatic (Group without Necrosis). Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected and the PedsQL 4.0 and the Charnley score for hip dysfunction were applied.

Results:

There was no difference in the overall score and in any domain when comparing the Perthes group (global = 73.1) and the sickle cell disease group (global = 65.9). When comparing the groups with necrosis and without necrosis, the Perthes group had a lower overall score only for the Physical Functioning domain (87.5 versus 68.5); sickle cell disease group had a lower overall score (64.9 versus 79.4) and in the Physical Functioning (68.5 versus 87.5) and School Functioning (62.9 versus 73.7) domains.

Conclusion:

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head produces lower quality of life scores both in the global evaluation and in the domains Physical Functioning and School Functioning. Necrosis, bilateral lesion, and hip function were found to be associated with the loss of quality of life. Level of Evidence III, Sectional comparative study.

Utilizing a Novel Mobile Health "Selfie" Application to Improve Compliance to Iron Chelation in Pediatric Patients Receiving Chronic Transfusions

Iron chelation therapy can prevent iron overload for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia major; however, adherence is suboptimal. Therefore, we developed an intensive training program (ITP), to improve medication management and disease knowledge. The objectives were to determine feasibility of the ITP and its preliminary impact on adherence, disease knowledge, and health outcomes. Pediatric patients were recruited to participate in the ITP over a 90-day period and were followed for 6 months. The ITP consisted of 3 components: (1) provider-led education modules; (2) patient recording daily videos of at-home medication administration; and (3) provider feedback through video messages through the ITP app. Eleven patients participated (mean=12.4 y). Initially, patients endorsed high satisfaction and ease of use and tracked their medication usage 81% (24 out of 30) of days. At 90 days, adherence rates remained consistent (80%) and disease knowledge retention was high (96%). At 6 months, participants exhibited a clinically relevant decrease in serum ferritin, which trended toward statistical significance (P=0.068). Medication possession ratio did not significantly increase (0.65 to 0.72; not significant). The mobile ITP was feasibly implemented in a clinical setting; in addition, high levels of compliance, disease knowledge retention, and acceptance encourage larger studies evaluating mobile health technology to improve child health parameters.

Saudi SCD patients' symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background

Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period.

Results

The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health.

Conclusion

Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits.

[Formula: see text]Executive functioning and health-related quality of life in pediatric sickle cell disease

Research consistently indicates that children with sickle cell disease (SCD) face multiple risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. Despite this, no empirical research to date has examined the impact of neurocognitive functioning on quality of life for this pediatric group. Thus, the current study aims to examine the relationship between executive functioning and quality of life in a sample of children with SCD and further explore psychosocial and family/caregiver resources as moderators of this relationship. A total of 45 children with SCD aged 8 to 16 years and their caregivers completed measures of quality of life, behavioral ratings of executive functioning, and psychosocial functioning. Hierarchical linear regression models were utilized to determine the impact of executive functioning on quality of life and further test the interaction effects of proposed moderating variables. Controlling for age, pain, and socioeconomic status (SES), executive functioning was found to significantly predict child- and parent-reported quality of life among youth with SCD. Psychosocial resources of the primary caregiver or family was not found to moderate the relationship between executive functioning and quality of life. These results provide the first empirical evidence that lower executive skills negatively predict quality of life for children with SCD, supporting clinical and research efforts which aim to establish efficacious interventions that target cognitive decrements within this pediatric population.

Fatigue in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: Association With Neurocognitive and Social-Emotional Functioning and Quality of Life

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) report fatigue in addition to acute and chronic pain, which can decrease overall health-related quality of life (HRQL). The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue and HRQL. Given limited prior research, secondary objectives included investigation of associations between fatigue and functional outcomes, including child neurocognitive and social-emotional functioning. Children aged 8 to 16 years (N=32) and a caregiver completed measures of fatigue, HRQL, pain, and neurocognitive and social-emotional functioning. Controlling for pain and number of SCD-related hospitalizations, hierarchical linear regression models were used to determine the impact of child-reported and parent-reported fatigue on child HRQL. Correlational analyses were used to explore the relationship between fatigue and additional child outcomes. Data indicated that children with SCD experience clinically relevant levels of fatigue, which independently predicts lower HRQL. Fatigue was also associated with lower working memory, executive functioning, and higher levels of internalizing symptoms. Given its observed impact on HRQL and relationship to functional outcomes, fatigue may be an important target of clinical, home, or school interventions. This practice may attenuate the burden of fatigue in these patients, and in turn, help improve the quality of life of children living with SCD.

Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review: Medication Adherence Among Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive summary (systematic review) of medication adherence rates by assessment method and medication type for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), as well as identify important correlates for future research.

METHODS

Articles assessing medication adherence and published between 1982 and February 2015 (n = 49) were identified using electronic databases. A meta-analysis of 14 studies examining demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors and medication adherence was conducted.

RESULTS

Adherence rates ranged from 12% to 100% across all medications. Approximately 30% of studies reported associations between adherence and key demographic, medical, and psychosocial correlates. Mean effect sizes were small to moderate (r = .02-.53).

CONCLUSIONS

The wide range of adherence rates reported in the literature may be because of, in part, the use of variable assessment strategies. Future studies examining pediatric SCD adherence should incorporate key correlates with the goal of replication.

Barriers to care and quality of primary care services in children with sickle cell disease

AIMS

The aims of this study were: to (1) identify barriers to care in children with sickle cell disease; (2) examine the quality of primary care services received by these children and (3) examine the relationship between barriers to care and quality of primary care services in children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND

Effective management in children with sickle cell disease requires early access to a comprehensive range of preventive screenings, urgent care treatments for vaso-occlusive pain crisis and ongoing prophylactic treatments.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey of parents of children with sickle cell disease was conducted between April-September 2011.

METHODS

Parents of children with sickle cell disease completed the Barriers to Care Questionnaire and Parent's Perceptions of Primary Care.

RESULTS

Parents of children with sickle cell disease (n = 38) reported health system barriers such as inability to contact doctors or clinics, extended wait times and inconvenient clinic hours. Some barriers were reported more frequently among children with concurrent sickle cell disease and asthma, compared with those children without a concurrent asthma condition. Parents who reported more barriers were least likely to perceive their care as accessible, comprehensive and coordinated.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimizing healthcare barriers may improve the quality of primary care services received by children with sickle cell disease and consequently prevent complications associated with sickle cell disease.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses and other care providers need to identify healthcare barriers, so that access, coordination, comprehensiveness and overall quality of primary care services may be improved in children with sickle cell disease.

Parental problem-solving abilities and the association of sickle cell disease complications with health-related quality of life for school-age children

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The current analysis sought to explore parent problem-solving abilities/skills as a moderator between SCD complications and HRQOL to evaluate applicability to pediatric SCD. At baseline, 83 children ages 6-12 years and their primary caregiver completed measures of child HRQOL. Primary caregivers also completed a measure of social problem-solving. A SCD complications score was computed from medical record review. Parent problem-solving abilities significantly moderated the association of SCD complications with child self-report psychosocial HRQOL (p = .006). SCD complications had a direct effect on parent proxy physical and psychosocial child HRQOL. Enhancing parent problem-solving abilities may be one approach to improve HRQOL for children with high SCD complications; however, modification of parent perceptions of HRQOL may require direct intervention to improve knowledge and skills involved in disease management.

Adherence-related issues in adolescents and young adults with hematological disorders

Nonadherence to medical recommendations is a widespread problem well documented in a multitude of clinical settings. Nonadherence may adversely affect clinical outcomes such as survival and quality of life and increase health-care-related costs. An understanding of the factors driving nonadherence is key to developing effective adherence-enhancing interventions (AEIs). There are ongoing attempts in contemporary adherence research to better define the various components of adherence, to find optimal measures of adherence and correlations with clinical outcomes, and to create a classification system for AEIs. Nonadherence is also widely prevalent among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic hematological diseases, affecting up to 50% of patients and increasing with age. Combined use of objective (i.e. electronic monitoring, EM) and subjective (i.e. self-report) measures of adherence may be the preferred approach to assess adherence. The unique physical, social and emotional aspects of the AYA life stage are closely related to intricate causes of nonadherence in AYAs such as problems in transition to adult care. Until proven otherwise, the empirical target in AYAs with hematological disorders should be perfect adherence. Multilevel AEIs, EM feedback and behavioral interventions are among the most effective types of AEIs. Despite the magnitude of the problem, only a handful of AEIs have been evaluated among AYAs with hematological disorders. Thus, this is a field with unmet needs warranting high-quality trials using standardized and well-specified assessment methods and interventions. This review discusses the prevalence, definition, causes and clinical implications of nonadherence among AYAs with hematological disorders, along with strategies to measure and improve adherence.