Journal article
Unmet Support Service Needs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: The AYA HOPE Study
Frontiers in oncology, Vol.3, pp.75-75
2013
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00075
PMID: 23580328
Abstract
Introduction:
Cancer for adolescents and young adults (AYA) differs from younger and older patients; AYA face medical challenges while navigating social and developmental transitions. Research suggests that these patients are under or inadequately served by current support services, which may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods:
We examined unmet service needs and HRQOL in the National Cancer Institute’s Adolescent and Young Adult Health Outcomes and Patient Experience (AYA HOPE) study, a population-based cohort (
n
= 484), age 15–39, diagnosed with cancer 6–14 months prior, in 2007–2009. Unmet service needs were psychosocial, physical, spiritual, and financial services where respondents endorsed that they needed, but did not receive, a listed service. Linear regression models tested associations between any or specific unmet service needs and HRQOL, adjusting for demographic, medical, and health insurance variables.
Results:
Over one-third of respondents reported at least one unmet service need. The most common were financial (16%), mental health (15%), and support group (14%) services. Adjusted models showed that having any unmet service need was associated with worse overall HRQOL, fatigue, physical, emotional, social, and school/work functioning, and mental health (
p
’s < 0.0001). Specific unmet services were related to particular outcomes [e.g., needing pain management was associated with worse overall HRQOL, physical and social functioning (
p
’s < 0.001)]. Needing mental health services had the strongest associations with worse HRQOL outcomes; needing physical/occupational therapy was most consistently associated with poorer functioning across domains.
Discussion:
Unmet service needs in AYAs recently diagnosed with cancer are associated with worse HRQOL. Research should examine developmentally appropriate, relevant practices to improve access to services demonstrated to adversely impact HRQOL, particularly physical therapy and mental health services.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Unmet Support Service Needs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: The AYA HOPE Study
- Creators
- Ashley Wilder Smith - Outcomes Research Branch, Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer InstituteHelen M Parsons - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science CenterErin E Kent - Outcomes Research Branch, Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer InstituteKeith Bellizzi - Human Development and Family Studies, University of ConnecticutBrad J Zebrack - University of Michigan School of Social WorkGretchen Keel - Information Management ServicesCharles F Lynch - Department of Epidemiology, The University of IowaMara B Rubenstein - Children’s Hospital of MichiganTheresa H. M Keegan - Cancer Prevention Institute of California
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in oncology, Vol.3, pp.75-75
- DOI
- 10.3389/fonc.2013.00075
- PMID
- 23580328
- NLM abbreviation
- Front Oncol
- ISSN
- 2234-943X
- eISSN
- 2234-943X
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2013
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9983995147502771
Metrics
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