Psychiatric Disorders in Survivors of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in India

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidities in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to identify any risk factors.MethodsSurvivors of ALL, who had completed their treatment, atleast two or more years ago and now were 6-18 y old were enrolled on the study. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I. KID) screening test for psychiatric problems was applied to all. If they had screening results positive for a particular disorder then the M.I.N.I KID standard test for that particular disorder was applied. The treatment details were noted from the records.ResultsEighty-nine survivors of ALL were enrolled. Of these, 19 (21.3%) had a psychiatric diagnosis. On multivariate analysis seizures, fears, stress and hospitalizations during treatment increased the risk of adverse psychiatric outcomes in survivorship.ConclusionsThe cancer survivors can have psychiatric problems even after completion of treatment and many easily modifiable factors contribute to the same.