title: Health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing autologous stem-cell transplantation.
abstract: The functional capacity and the health-related quality of life were investigated in nine women (ages 23-58 years) undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Data were obtained by using two questionnaires: the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Swedish Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWED-QUAL). The patients answered the questionnaires on three occasions: on admission to the transplant unit, at discharge from the unit, and 7-15 weeks after ASCT. It was found that the women were affected by the treatment in various dimensions of daily life. The transplantation primarily affected their self-rated physical health and functions. Their physical-health status was poorest at the time of discharge. The women's emotional status was found to be poor during the whole study period. The results of the present study indicate that professional nursing is essential for breast cancer patients undergoing ASCT.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Care Research and Development Unit, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gardulf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nordström
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Björkstrand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ljungman
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents