Risk-adapted approach for fever and neutropenia in paediatric cancer patients--a national multicentre study.

Background: In this national multicentre study, we examined the safety of reducing antibiotics in selected paediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

Methods: Patients with signs of a bacterial infection and/or abnormal vital signs indicating sepsis were considered high risk and received antibiotic therapy. Remaining patients were allocated to low- or medium risk, depending on their interleukin-8 level.

A longitudinal case-control study on goals in adolescents with cancer.

Objective: This study examined whether: (1) the goals of adolescents with cancer at 3 months post-diagnosis (T1) and healthy peers differed in terms of content, valuation, and abstraction level, (2) the content, valuation and abstraction level of the goals of the adolescents with cancer differed between 3 and 12 months post-diagnosis (T2).

Methods: Thirty-three adolescents with cancer and 66 matched controls completed the Personal Project Analysis Inventory. After nine months, the adolescents with cancer completed the measure again.

Providing care to a child with cancer: a longitudinal study on the course, predictors, and impact of caregiving stress during the first year after diagnosis.

Objective: This study investigated the course, predictors, and impact of caregiving stress on the functioning of primary caregivers of children with cancer during the first year after a child's cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Primary caregivers (N = 95, 100% mother, 86% response rate) of consecutive newly diagnosed paediatric cancer patients (0-18 years) completed measures of caregiving stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-reported health at diagnosis, and 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter.

Results: Results indicated a significant decrease in caregiving stress (especially during the first 3 months after diagnosis).

Effects of communication styles on marital satisfaction and distress of parents of pediatric cancer patients: a prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effects of communication styles on marital satisfaction and distress of parents of children treated for cancer.

Methods: Marital dissatisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire), intimacy, avoidance, destructive and incongruent communication (Communication Skills Inventory) and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire) were assessed in 115 parents of pediatric cancer patients shortly after diagnosis (T1) and 5 years later (T2).

Results: Only mothers' marital dissatisfaction increased significantly over time.