Statistical analysis
Baseline characteristics of the population were described as the mean
(+/- standard deviation) for quantitative variables and numbers
(percentages) for qualitative variables. Quantitative and qualitative
variables were analyzed by t-tests and chi2 tests, respectively. Two
types of analysis were carried out (i) A multivariate analysis for
factors associated with the probability of declaring a psychosocial
difficulty at a consultation was conducted, considering mixed effects
for longitudinal data. We defined at the second level the children. We
defined at first level each consultation during which the psychosocial
questionnaire was completed. Factors associated with a p-value
<0.10 in the univariate analysis were considered in the
multivariate logistic model. In this model, time was included as an
independent variable. Additionally, subgroup analyses for children with
blood disorders and CNS tumors were carried out (ii) We evaluated the
probability of psychosocial difficulty over time by using Kaplan-Meier
failure function curves. We completed a parametric survival regression
model based on the same longitudinal data structure with two levels. The
original date was the first consultation when the psychosocial follow-up
began. However, we did not have the same follow-up duration and
measurements’ time between patients according to their oncologic
disease. Considering this, time to consultation was considered as an
independent factor to assess the potential influence of the delay when
the measurement is taking place.
All statistical analyses were performed with STATA software V14 and a
p-value <0.05 was considered to denote statistical
significance.
We defined the primary endpoint as the probability of presenting at a
consultation with a learning difficulty at school. The secondary
endpoint was to evaluate the probability of presenting a learning
difficulty over time. Other psychosocial difficulties were also analyzed
for further explorations.
This study was based on a database supported by the Commission
Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) registered under the
N° 912302.