Factors influencing reproductive concerns and their correlation with quality of life among adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia in Hunan province, China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the reproductive concerns and their influencing factors among adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia and to explore the relationship between reproductive concerns and patients' quality of life.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The haematology departments of four tertiary-level hospitals in Hunan province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sampling method was used to recruit 233 adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia, from June 2024 to December 2024.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was assessed using the Chinese version of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer and the secondary outcome was measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey.

RESULTS

Adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia had a mean reproductive concerns score of 55.57±7.57, a quality of life physical component summary (PCS) score of 38.54±8.58 and a mental component summary (MCS) score of 39.84±8.78. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in reproductive concerns based on fertility status, place of residence, education level, fertility counselling and family history of acute leukaemia (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed already childbearing (β=-0.169, p=0.009), a high education level (β=-0.256, p=0.020), rural residence (β=0.183, p=0.006), receipt of fertility counselling (β=0.161, p=0.012) and family history (β=0.139, p=0.029) as independent risk factors for reproductive concerns. Spearman correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between reproductive concerns and the PCS but revealed a significant negative correlation between reproductive concerns and the MCS (β=-0.170, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia exhibited moderately high levels of reproductive concerns, particularly those who had no children, had a low education level, resided in rural areas, had a family history of acute leukaemia or had received fertility counselling. Therefore, we suggest that healthcare providers prioritise addressing reproductive concerns in high-risk patients by offering tailored, high-quality and continuous fertility counselling and psychological support. Strengthening these strategies can help alleviate reproductive concerns and improve both mental health and overall quality of life in this population.