Socio-economic outcomes among long-term childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia survivors enrolled between 1971 and 1998 in EORTC CLG studies: Results of the 58LAE study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the socio-economic outcomes of survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Methods: Childhood ALL adult survivors, enrolled in EORTC trials between 1971 and 1998 in France and Belgium, were invited to fill out a questionnaire with information about their socio-economic situation (living with a partner, having a university degree, having a job, working part time and history of having a paid job). The outcomes were compared with two matched control populations.

Results: Among 1418 eligible patients, 507 (35.8%) participated, including 39 (8%) and 61 (12%) patients who received a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and a cranial radiotherapy (CRT), respectively. The median time to follow-up was 20 years, and median age was 25 years. Survivors showed a socio-economic level at least as good as controls. HCST and CRT were associated with a higher probability of not obtaining a bachelor degree (respectively OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.46-8.35 and OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.04-5.15), HSCT was associated with unemployment (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.09-7.65) and having a relapse was associated with a higher probability of not having a partner (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.01-3.51) adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion: Childhood ALL survivors showed a high level of socio-economic participation. HCST and CRT were associated with poorer functioning.

Keywords: childhood ALL; educational achievement; employment; long-term cancer survivors; marital status; socio-economic status.