The impact of a cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment on the HRQOL of children in Saudi Arabia in light of international practices for newly diagnosed cases A quantitative systematic review

Abstract

The global impact of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is significant, especially for children undergoing oncological treatment. While research on HRQOL among child cancer survivors is abundant, there is a lack of representation among those actively undergoing treatment. Furthermore, Saudi Arabian data remains less explored. Objective This systematic review aims to bridge this research gap by quantitatively evaluating the HRQOL of children in Saudi Arabia during their active cancer treatment phase. The study also juxtaposes these findings with global practices, emphasising demographic, medical and parental predictors of HRQOL. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across prominent databases including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. The search explored studies conducted in Saudi Arabia investigating HRQOL during oncological treatment for children and adolescents, alongside studies from other countries exploring newly diagnosed cases. The JBI-Critical Appraisal Checklists were used to assess the quality of each study. The outcomes were synthesised using narrative methods. Results A systematic review of nine studies was conducted, encompassing 859 paediatric cancer patients. It was observed that all children undergoing cancer treatment experienced a decline in HRQOL. In Saudi Arabia, the psychosocial domain was particularly impacted, more so than the physical domain. The newly diagnosed phase was identified as having the most compromised HRQOL compared to the other stages of the illness. Longitudinal studies showed improvement over time. Several predictors influenced HRQOL including clinical, demographic and parental factors. Conclusion Paediatric cancer patients face profound physical, emotional and psychosocial challenges. Tailored interventions and paediatric palliative care integration are urgently needed to enhance HRQOL. This study underscores the need for more in- depth clinical research in Saudi Arabia, focusing on diverse aspects of HRQOL to optimise treatment outcomes for children with cancer.