Eva Johansson

Publications (2)2.59 Total impact

• Article: Does School Attendance During Initial Cancer Treatment in Childhood Increase the Risk of Infection?

  Margareta Af Sandeberg, Lena Wettergren, Olle Björk, Johan Arvidson, Eva Johansson
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between school attendance and infection requiring antimicrobial treatment in children undergoing treatment for cancer. PROCEDURE: A national cohort of children aged 7-16 years undergoing cancer treatment was assessed during two observation periods of 19 days each, 1 month (n = 89) and 2.5 months (n = 89) poststart of treatment. Children free from infection at start of each observation period were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed including factors potentially associated with start of antimicrobial treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (30%) children started antimicrobial treatment during the first observation period. Factors associated with an increased risk of starting antimicrobial treatment were diagnosed with sarcoma (OR = 24.37, P = 0.002) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 17.57, P = 0.025), having neutropenia (OR = 5.92, P = 0.020) and age less than 13 years (OR = 8.54, P = 0.014). During the second observation period, when 20 (22%) children started antimicrobial treatment, the probability of starting treatment was increased in children with neutropenia (OR = 4.25, P = 0.007). There was no statistically significant association between starting treatment for infection and school attendance. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, children attending school while undergoing cancer treatment did not run a higher risk of starting antimicrobial treatment than children absent from school. However, there is a need for further studies evaluating risk of infections in children with ongoing cancer treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
  Pediatric Blood & Cancer 03/2013; · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Health-related quality of life relates to school attendance in children on treatment for cancer.

  Margareta af Sandeberg, Eva Johansson, Olle Björk, Lena Wettergren
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  ABSTRACT: The aims of this study are to follow health-related quality of life (HRQOL), school attendance, and social interaction with friends in children with cancer and to explore potential relationships between HRQOL and school attendance. The study also describes self-reported reasons for not attending school and not meeting friends. During a 2-year period, all schoolchildren in Sweden starting treatment for cancer were invited to participate in the study. Participants (N = 101) were assessed 3 times during the first 5 months of treatment using 2 questionnaires: DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module (DCGM-37) and a study-specific questionnaire. The results indicate a diminished HRQOL that remained stable over the study period, with girls rating worse HRQOL compared with boys. School attendance significantly increased over time, and approximately half of the children attended school 5 months after start of treatment. Self-reported HRQOL was positively correlated to days of school attendance. The results emphasize the importance of psychosocial care and nursing for children diagnosed with cancer, especially for girls. Research to further explore gender differences in HRQOL among children diagnosed for cancer is recommended.
  Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing 25(5):265-74. · 0.70 Impact Factor