Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D (2024)

Background: Assessing pain perception and its intensity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during induction chemotherapy is essential for effective pain management and improving quality of life. Understanding how children perceive and report pain, alongside the factors influencing pain intensity, can guide the development of tailored pain management strategies. This study focused on evaluating the experiences of pain in children undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 12 months at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh. A total of 30 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were enrolled purposively. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 26.0 program.
Results: Among 30 participants most (57%) were male and younger than 10 years (53%). Pain locations were reported with frequencies: Head (2%), Legs (40%), Arms (44%), and Torso (14%). Pain intensity and interference percentages at each time point (Day 1, 7, 14, and 28) showed varying patterns. The association analysis revealed significant differences in pain intensity based on age (p<0.001) and gender (p< 0.001) across all time points. Diagnosis and chemotherapy regimen had no significant associations. Pain interference also showed no associations with age, gender, diagnosis, or chemotherapy regimen.
Conclusion: We observed varying patterns of pain intensity and interference over time, highlighting the need for tailored pain management. Age and gender influenced pain perception differences. These findings underscore the importance of personalized pain interventions for pediatric leukemia patients, aiming to enhance their quality of life and treatment outcomes.