Adolescent behavior and adult health status in childhood cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the longitudinal association between adolescent psychological problems following cancer treatment and obesity, limited exercise, smoking, and excess sun exposure during adulthood in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort.


METHODS
Participants included 1,652 adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and 406 siblings of cancer survivors, initially evaluated at 12-17 years of age and > or = 5 years post-diagnosis. A follow-up survey of these participants was conducted roughly 7 years later and included assessment of health status and health behaviors. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between adolescent psychological problems and adult health behavior outcomes.


RESULTS
During adolescence, survivors demonstrated higher rates of attention deficits, emotional problems, externalizing behavior and social withdrawal compared to sibling controls. Social withdrawal was associated with adult obesity (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1) and physical inactivity (OR = 1.7, 1.1-2.5). Use of stimulant medication during adolescence was also associated with adult obesity (OR = 1.9, 1.1-3.2), while antidepressant use was associated with physical inactivity (OR = 3.2, 1.2-8.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent survivors of childhood cancer display higher rates of psychological problems compared to siblings of cancer survivors. These psychological problems are associated with an increased risk for obesity and poor heath behavior in adulthood, which may increase future risk for chronic health conditions and secondary neoplasms.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to decrease risk of future health problems, adolescent survivors of childhood cancer should be routinely screened and treated for psychological problems following cancer therapy.
Krull
Kevin R
KR
Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA. kevin.krull@stjude.org
Huang
Sujuan
S
Gurney
James G
JG
Klosky
James L
JL
Leisenring
Wendy
W
Termuhlen
Amanda
A
Ness
Kirsten K
KK
Kumar Srivastava
Deo
D
Mertens
Ann
A
Stovall
Marilyn
M
Robison
Leslie L
LL
Hudson
Melissa M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
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