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Characterizing academic performance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with population-based achievement tests
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Characterizing academic performance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with population-based achievement tests

Hend M. Al-Kaylani, Erin E. Reasoner, Bradley T. Loeffler, Sarah L. Mott, Susan Madasu, Audrey Liu, Kathleen Langbehn, Amy L. Conrad, David Dickens, Amanda Grafft, …
Cancer reports, Vol.5(9), e1560
09/30/2021
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1560
PMCID: PMC9458490
PMID: 34596316
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.1560View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background Recent shifts from radiation to chemotherapy-based treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have contributed to reduced long-term morbidity. Despite this, ALL survivors remain at increased risk for long-term cognitive impairments. Aim To identify demographic and treatment factors associated with school performance in pediatric survivors of ALL. Methods We collected standardized test scores for reading, math, and science obtained in a school setting from grades 3-11 in 63 ALL survivors (46.0% boys). Most participants were assessed across multiple grades (median number of grades n = 5, range 1-7), and 269 observations were considered in the analyses. Treatment exposures were extracted from medical records. Socio-economic status was estimated using participation in free/reduced lunch programs at school. Mixed effects linear regression models were conducted to determine factors associated with school performance. Results ALL survivors' scores were comparable to state norms on reading, math, and science performances. On multivariable analysis, participation in free/reduced lunch programs was significantly associated with lower reading scores (beta = -12.52; 95% CI -22.26:-2.77, p = .01). Exposure to radiation during treatment was also associated with lower reading test scores (beta = -30.81, 95% CI -52.00:-9.62, p = .01). No significant associations between demographics and treatment parameters were observed for math and science test scores. Conclusions We utilized population-based achievement tests conducted from grades 3-11 to characterize school performance in ALL survivors. Our results imply that survivors with low socio-economic status and those exposed to radiation during treatment could benefit from early monitoring and intervention to maximize academic success.
Oncology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology

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