Prevalence and associating variables with fear of progression in Chinese pediatric cancer patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Fear of progression (FoP) is a prevalent psychological strain for cancer patients associated with poor quality of life and psychological morbidity. However, little evidence exists on FoP in children with cancer. Our study aimed to determine prevalence and correlates of FoP of cancer in children. From December 2018 to March 2019, cancer patients from Children’s Hospital in Chongqing, Southwest China, were recruited. A Chinese version of Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) was adopted to assess children’ FoP. Descriptive statistics (percentages, median, and interquartile range), non-parametric tests, and multiple regression analyses were performed on these data. Prevalence of high-level FoP was 43.75% among these 102 children. Multiple regression analysis showed that reproductive system tumors (beta = 0.315, t = 3.235 95% CI [3.171, 13.334]), and level of psychological care needs (beta = −0.370, t = −3.793 95% CI [−5.396, −1.680]) were independent predictors of FoP. Regression model explained 27.10% of all included variables (adjusted R square = 27.10%). As with adults with cancer, children with cancer also have FoP. More attention should be paid to FoP in children with reproductive tumors and in children who need psychological support. More access to psychological support should be offered to reduce FoP and to improve their quality of life.