{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Characteristics and feedback of adult survivors of childhood cancer seen in Swiss comprehensive follow-up clinics led by general internists: a prospective cohort study.
{Author}: Tinner EME;Dogan O;Boesing M;Roser K;Michel G;Minder AE;Maier S;Bayha M;Affolter H;Baumgartner C;Meienberg F;Kuehni C;Rössler J;Wertli MM;Leuppi JD;
{Journal}: BMJ Open
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 11
{Factor}: 3.006
{DOI}: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081823
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>In our study, we aimed to characterise adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCS), assess their health issues, gauge health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and evaluate visit satisfaction.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Prospective cohort study using data from clinical visits and questionnaires.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Interdisciplinary follow-up programme for ACCS based on the long-term follow-up (LTFU) guidelines of the Children's Oncology Group and overseen by internists in two Swiss hospitals.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>ACCS attending our LTFU clinics between April 2017 and January 2022 were eligible.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We documented medical history, current health status and assessed HRQOL using Short Form-36 V.2, comparing it with Swiss general population (SGP) norms (T mean=50, SD=10; age stratified). 3 months post visit, a feedback questionnaire was distributed.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Among 102 ACCS (mean age: 32 years (range: 18-62 years), 68% women), 43 had no prior follow-up (36 ACCS>28 years, 7 ACCS≤28 years). A notable 94% had health issues, affecting an average of 6.1 (SD=3.3) organ systems. HRQOL was lower in ACCS>28 years than the SGP>28 years (physical: 44.8 (SD=11.65) vs 49.3 (SD=10.29), p=0.016; mental: 44.4 (SD=13.78) vs 50.53 (SD=9.92), p=0.004). Older ACCS (>28 years) reported inferior physical (44.8 vs 50.1 (SD=9.30), p=0.017) and mental HRQOL (44.4 vs 50.3 (SD=7.20), p=0.009) than younger ACCS. The majority of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the consultation, exceeding 90%.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>ACCS attending LTFU clinics face diverse health issues impacting multiple organ systems and exhibit lower HRQOL compared with the SGP. Thus, internist-led LTFU clinics are crucial for optimising follow-up care.