398: Longitudinal assessment of quality of life and symptoms of ethnically diverse blood and marrow transplantation patients

Abstract

Several investigators in the nursing, medicine, and psychology have examined the effects of BMT on quality of life (QOL). Several studies indicated a significant reduction in QOL and persistent symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, anorexia, and nausea in the first year after BMT (Kopp, Schweigkofler, Holzner, et al. 1998, Winer, Lindley, Hardee, et al. 1999, Hann, Jacobsen, Martin, et al. 1997). The long-term impact of BMT on QOL has been examined (Andrykowski, Carpenter, et al. 1997, Andrykowski, Brady, et al. 1995 and Andrykowski, Bishop, Hahn, Cella, et al, 2005). None of these studies examined differences of QOL and symptoms among ethnically diverse groups of patients.In our recently completed National Institute of Health sponsored study, the correlation of quality of life and symptoms were evaluated at multiple time points over the course of 100 days in 164 African-Americans (n=24), Hispanic (n=38) and non-minority (n=102) patients. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-BMT) measuring quality of life and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) assessing symptoms and symptom interference with life were used in the study. Other variables examined included disease, type of transplant, age, graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and survival. Preliminary results indicate that patients receiving myeloablative regimen experienced severe symptoms such as fatigue (p<0.02) and pain (p<0.03) and poorer QOL (p<0.01) across time. Symptom severity correlates (r= -0.59 to -0.75) with QOL across time. In addition, there were no significant differences in symptom severity, symptom interference and ECOG performance status between Hispanic and African-Americans over time. There were significant differences in symptom severity, symptom interference, and ECOG performance across time in both minority and non-minority groups of BMT patients. Results of this study add to the knowledge related to symptom clusters and QOL with this treatment modality and help to guide development of relevant patient teaching material. Several investigators in the nursing, medicine, and psychology have examined the effects of BMT on quality of life (QOL). Several studies indicated a significant reduction in QOL and persistent symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, anorexia, and nausea in the first year after BMT (Kopp, Schweigkofler, Holzner, et al. 1998, Winer, Lindley, Hardee, et al. 1999, Hann, Jacobsen, Martin, et al. 1997). The long-term impact of BMT on QOL has been examined (Andrykowski, Carpenter, et al. 1997, Andrykowski, Brady, et al. 1995 and Andrykowski, Bishop, Hahn, Cella, et al, 2005). None of these studies examined differences of QOL and symptoms among ethnically diverse groups of patients. In our recently completed National Institute of Health sponsored study, the correlation of quality of life and symptoms were evaluated at multiple time points over the course of 100 days in 164 African-Americans (n=24), Hispanic (n=38) and non-minority (n=102) patients. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-BMT) measuring quality of life and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) assessing symptoms and symptom interference with life were used in the study. Other variables examined included disease, type of transplant, age, graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and survival. Preliminary results indicate that patients receiving myeloablative regimen experienced severe symptoms such as fatigue (p<0.02) and pain (p<0.03) and poorer QOL (p<0.01) across time. Symptom severity correlates (r= -0.59 to -0.75) with QOL across time. In addition, there were no significant differences in symptom severity, symptom interference and ECOG performance status between Hispanic and African-Americans over time. There were significant differences in symptom severity, symptom interference, and ECOG performance across time in both minority and non-minority groups of BMT patients. Results of this study add to the knowledge related to symptom clusters and QOL with this treatment modality and help to guide development of relevant patient teaching material.