Quality of life one year following bone marrow transplantation: psychometric evaluation of the quality of life in bone marrow transplant survivors tool.
OBJECTIVE
To examine a comprehensive view of quality of life (QOL) post-bone marrow transplant (post-BMT) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument designed to measure QOL in this population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive, mailed survey.


METHODS
A large, major BMT referral center for central, eastern, and southern Kentucky.


METHODS
41 BMT survivors with an age range of 18-71 years who were an average of 30 months post-BMT.


METHODS
Seven mailed questionnaires, including an investigator-developed demographic questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors Tool (QOL-BMT-ST).


METHODS
QOL, BMT treatment, sexual activities, employment, and uncertainty.


RESULTS
Global QOL was good (x = 6.4 on a 0-10 scale). Subjects experienced several long-term areas of concern: physical strength, sexual activities, fear of cancer recurrence, fear of developing a secondary cancer, unemployment, family distress, and uncertainty toward the future. Psychometric testing of the QOL-BMT-ST revealed adequate to excellent reliability and validity.


CONCLUSIONS
Most BMT survivors reported few long-term disruptions and above average QOL. The QOL-BMT-ST has a promising utility in clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Individually structured pre- and post-BMT assessment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual functioning is significant in identifying vulnerable patients and treating them accordingly.
Saleh
U S
US
College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, USA. ussale0@pop.uky.edu
Brockopp
D Y
DY
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*