Quality of life of long-term adult survivors of autologous bone marrow transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To extend the knowledge of quality of life (QOL) of survivors of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to include survivors of autologous BMT. To determine the appropriateness of using a reliable, valid, allogeneic BMT QOL instrument for survivors of autologous BMT.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive, replication survey.


METHODS
An autologous BMT program in a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.


METHODS
All survivors of autologous BMT (N = 37) at the center were recruited; 29 survivors participated (85% response rate).


METHODS
Three mailed questionnaires: the City of Hope quantitative QOL-BMT instrument and qualitative questionnaire and an investigator-developed demographic questionnaire.


METHODS
QOL, autologous BMT treatment, disease type, age, gender, employment, and date of transplant.


RESULTS
Global QOL was high (mean = 8.17 on a 1-10 scale). Most respondents experienced few long-term physical disruptions and had only mild psychological distress. Fatigue, sexuality concerns, and family distress created by the illness were the most negatively rated items. Content, face, and construct validity of the QOL-BMT instrument in the autologous BMT population were acceptable. Overall internal consistency reliability of the tool, as measured by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.82. Themes of uncertainty, concern about relapse, and pain were reported in the qualitative data but not revealed by responses to the QOL-BMT instrument.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of survivors of autologous BMT reported few physiologic disruptions and above-average QOL. The City of Hope QOL-BMT instrument had acceptable reliability and validity when adapted for survivors of autologous BMT. Addition of items related to uncertainty, pain, and concern about relapse could further strengthen its validity.


CONCLUSIONS
Most survivors of autologous BMT can expect above-average QOL. Incorporating results of QOL evaluation in the informed consent process may help BMT candidates in making the decision to undergo the procedure by providing a more complete picture of life after BMT. However, since a minority of patients will experience continued disruptions in any one of the QOL domains, healthcare providers need to conduct comprehensive follow-up evaluations to determine which patients may need referral to the specialized services of a survivor clinic.
Whedon
M
M
Dartmouth-Hithcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Stearns
D
D
Mills
L E
LE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009513:New Hampshire; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous