Objective: The impact of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is considerable, particularly for children undergoing oncological treatment. While research has addressed HRQOL in childhood cancer survivors, less attention has been given to those actively undergoing treatment, including in Saudi Arabia. This systematic review aimed to address this gap by quantitatively evaluating studies reporting on the HRQOL of children in Saudi Arabia during their active cancer treatment phase. We also compare these findings with studies from around the world, emphasising demographic, medical and parental predictors of HRQOL. Methods: A comprehensive search of relevant databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) was conducted to identify studies assessing HRQOL in pediatric cancer patients, both in Saudi Arabia and globally. A narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 907 pediatric cancer patients. All children undergoing treatment experienced a decline in HRQOL. In Saudi Arabia, the psychosocial domain was especially affected. Children in the newly diagnosed phase reported the lowest HRQOL. Longitudinal studies showed improvement over time. Clinical, demographic and parental factors were found to influence HRQOL. Conclusion: Pediatric cancer patients face significant physical, emotional and psychosocial challenges. Tailored interventions and the integration of paediatric palliative care are urgently needed to improve HRQOL. This review highlights the need for more in-depth research in Saudi Arabia to inform clinical practices and optimise outcomes for children with cancer.
Alhussain et al. (Thu,) studied this question.