2007, Number 2
Causas de diferimiento en la administración de quimioterapia a pacientes pediátricos ambulatorios
Olmos-Ordóñez RE, Aguilar-Velázquez F, Caba-Ventura E, Núñez-Núñez A
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 99-103
PDF size: 101.11 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Chemotherapy has precise indications; deferring it might influence the treatment outcomes. Some causes are originated for clinical situations of patients and others for medical or administrative reasons.Objective: To identify the main causes that deferring chemotherapy administration originates in pediatric patients with cancer.
Methodology: Observational and prospective study included 200 patients from 11 months to 16 years and 11 months old with hemato-onchology disorders. Causes of deferring therapy were researched throughout a check list and direct observation during 3 months. The researched variables were: not showing up to the treatment visit, medical causes, administrative reasons, and clinical causes related to patients. Statistical analysis was done with measures of central tendency.
Results: Causes of deferring chemotherapy administration were: 13.5% due to not showing up to the treatment visit with 10.5%, followed by 1.5% traumatic lumbar puncture, and 1% due to neutropenia.
Discussion: The motive of not showing up in 5.5% was not obtained. Deferring might influence the treatment outcome because the lack of administration might favor the beginning of drug resistant colonies to chemotherapy, having as a consequence losing control of the disease.
Conclusions: Some strategies should be implemented with the help of a multidisciplinary team to reach patients and remind their parents their appointment, as well as let them know about the importance of compliance of treatment in booked dates.
REFERENCES
Fajardo-Gutiérrez A, Mejía-Aranguré M, Gómez-Delgado A, Mendoza-Sánchez H, Garduño-Espinosa J, Martínez-García MC. Epidemiología de las neoplasias malignas en niños residentes del Distrito Federal (1982-1991). Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 1995;2:507-516. Rev Panam Salud Pública Vol. 6 n. 2 Washington Aug. 1999.