Health related quality of life in a nationally representative sample of haematological patients
Open Access
- 2 July 2009
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in European Journal of Haematology
- Vol. 83 (2), 139-148
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0609.2009.01250.x
Abstract
Knowledge of health related quality of life of haematological patients is limited. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and predictors of symptoms and problems in a representative sample of haematological patients in Denmark. A random sample of patients with leukaemia, multiple myeloma and advanced lymphoma (n = 732) received the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Mean scores were calculated. In addition, scores were dichotomised using two thresholds: patients reporting at least ‘a little’ of each EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom/problem were classified as having a ‘symptom/problem’, and patients reporting at least ‘quite a bit’ were classified as having a ‘severe symptom/problem’. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors. In total, 470 (64%) patients participated. The most frequent symptoms/problems were fatigue (55%; severe 20%), reduced role function (49%; severe 23%), insomnia (46%; severe 15%), and pain (37%; severe 15%). Older patients and patients in active antineoplastic treatment had more symptoms and problems. There was only little evidence of social inequalities. This is probably the first nationally representative study of symptoms and problems in haematological patients. These patients have symptoms/problems that deserve attention. Health related quality of life is an important issue in haematological malignancies.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Health-related quality of life assessment and reported outcomes in leukaemia randomised controlled trials – A systematic review to evaluate the added value in supporting clinical decision makingEuropean Journal Of Cancer, 2008
- Health-related quality of life and symptom assessment in clinical research of patients with hematologic malignancies: where are we now and where do we go from here?Haematologica, 2007
- Depression, anxiety and quality of life in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia cohortGeneral Hospital Psychiatry, 2007
- Quality of life in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A neglected issueLeukemia & Lymphoma, 2005
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Economic Burden and Quality of LifeClinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2005
- Social networks and quality of life for long-term survivors of leukemia and lymphomaSupportive Care in Cancer, 2005
- Quality of life of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: results of a longitudinal investigation over 1 yrEuropean Journal of Haematology, 2004
- Individual quality of life in patients with leukaemia and lymphomaPsycho‐Oncology, 2002
- The patient’s perceived caring needs as a message of sufferingJournal of Advanced Nursing, 1998
- Quality of life in hematological malignancies with brief reference to bone marrow transplantationLeukemia Research, 1993