Psychosocial outcomes in long-term survivors of high-grade osteosarcoma: a Japanese single-center experience.

AIM

The psychosocial outcomes in long-term survivors of osteosarcoma were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A questionnaire concerning the psychosocial status was completed by 30 long-term survivors of osteosarcoma. The family APGAR was employed for the evaluation of family function, social support questionnaire (SSQ) for social support, impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) for posttraumatic growth (PTG).

RESULTS

The family APGAR and SSQ scores were comparable to those of controls. The IES-R score was low, showing a low incidence of PTSS. The PTGI score was high, revealing marked PTG. On multiple regression analysis regarding the IES-R as a dependent variable, the family APGAR was associated with the IES-R. On multiple regression analysis regarding the PTGI as a dependent variable, the age at diagnosis, state of the affected limb and SSQ were associated with the PTGI.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of PTSS was low, and PTG was marked in the long-term survivors of osteosarcoma. A high age at onset and amputation of the affected limb were associated with PTG. Support of the family function reduces PTSS, and the strengthening of social support facilitates PTG.