Quality of life of patients with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

Abstract: Leukemia is a stem cell disorder characterized by a malignant neoplastic proliferation and accumulation of immature hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow.Aim of the study: assessquality of life of patients with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Subjects & Method: A descriptive design was conducted at the Oncology Department and Hematology Unit at Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt. Subjects: a convenient sample of 150 adult patients diagnosed with leukemia who had received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Tools: Tool I: Leukemic Patient's Structured Interview Schedule: It was included two parts: Part (I) Socio-demographic Data. Part (II) Clinical Data. Tool II: Leukemic patients' Health related Quality of Life Questionnaire: It was consisted of 8 domains & included 36 statements. Results: 51.3% have poor general health; there was no correlation between the QOL and socio-demographic variables, while there was no statistical significant relation between other clinical data of the studied patients and overall QOL percent score. Conclusion: more than half patients with leukemia who received chemotherapy had poor QOL which have negative impact on patient's physical, psychological, social life, and spiritual life. Recommendation: Pre and in-services training programs need to be developed for Chemotherapeutic Patients and nurses working with leukemia patients receiving chemotherapy.