Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34708310›Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2022

Loneliness among adolescents and young adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey.

Kaitlyn Howden, Adam P Yan, Camille Glidden, Razvan G Romanescu, Ian Scott, Julie M Deleemans, Karine Chalifour, Geoff Eaton, Abha A Gupta, James M Bolton and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
14citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Loneliness in prostate cancer survivors.Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
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  8. Observational
  9. "It just made me feel better": qualitative examination of the implementation of a novel virtual psychosocial support program for adolescents with cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Kaitlyn Howden *Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Adam P Yan *Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G1X8, Canada.
Camille GliddenDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Razvan G RomanescuGeorge & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Ian ScottDepartment of Psychosocial Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Julie M DeleemansDivision of Oncology, Department of Psychosocial Oncology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Karine ChalifourYoung Adult Cancer Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Geoff EatonYoung Adult Cancer Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Abha A GuptaDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
James M BoltonDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Sheila N GarlandDepartments of Psychology and Oncology, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Alyson L MaharDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Sapna OberoiDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. soberoi@cancercare.mb.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6071-0042

Funding

cancercare manitoba foundation 764135447
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are at an increased risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness secondary to their cancer and its treatment. The physical distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic may have further increased loneliness among this group. This study examined the prevalence of loneliness and factors associated with loneliness among AYAs with cancer during this pandemic.

methodsWe conducted a self-administered, online, cross-sectional survey of Canadian AYAs diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 between January and February 2021. Loneliness was measured using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Factors associated with higher levels of loneliness were identified using multiple logistic regression.

resultsThe analysis included 805 AYAs. The prevalence of loneliness was 52.2% [N = 419, 95% CI (confidence interval) 48.7 to 55.6%]. Individuals who were 18-25 years old [AOR (adjusted odds ratio)1.60, CI 1.03-2.47, p = 0.035], currently undergoing cancer therapy (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07, p = 0.035), who self-disclosed the presence of a pre-pandemic mental health condition (AOR 2.09, 95% CI = 1.22-3.58, p = 0.007), or were not in a relationship (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.14, p < 0.001) were more likely to report loneliness than others. Participants that lived in rural or remote locations were less likely to experience loneliness (AOR 0.59, 95%CI 0.40-0.87, p = 0.008).

conclusionOne in two AYAs with cancer are feeling lonely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies for developing interventions to target loneliness, particularly for those at greater risk, are necessary to improve the health and quality of life of AYAs with cancer.

Indexed as

COVID-19NeoplasmsAdolescentAdultCanadaCross-Sectional StudiesHumansLonelinessPandemicsQuality of LifeSARS-CoV-2Young AdultAdolescents and young adultsCancerCOVID-19OncologySocial isolation

Identifiers

PMID34708310
PMCPMC8549808

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.