Time to outcome of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its associated factors among pediatrics diagnosed at Jimma University medical center pediatric Oncology unit (JUMC-POU), South west Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Despite the significant improving of treatment outcomes and survival rates of pediatric diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in developed country, it remained very low in developing countries. This study aims to determine the Time to Outcome of pediatrics diagnosed with ALL at Jimma university medical center pediatric Oncology unit (JUMC-POU) in its first six years of the unit`s establishment. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the Time of Outcome of pediatrics diagnosed with ALL and associated factors at JUMC-POU, South West Ethiopia Methods: A retrospective study design was conducted. The lists of the patients were obtained from the data base in the unit to retrieve the patient chart. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data entered into Epidata manager version 3.1, and then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of less than 0.05. Event-free survival were estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors; and finally multivariate Cox regression model used to report the significance and association. Results: A total of 117 pediatrics diagnosed with ALL from August 2016 to august 2022; from these 108 patients, whom their charts retrieved, were enrolled in the study. There were 36.1% treatment abandon, 37.9% death and 7.4% completed treatment. Around 66% patients completed induction and achieve remission, and the three years event free survival in our study was 39%. Recommendation: Prospective collection of patient data to overcome missing information. Strengthen the supportive care to avert preventable treatment and diseases related morbidities such as infection, hemorrhage, and TLS. Strengthen psychosocial support to avert treatment abandonment