Quality of life before and one year following stem cell transplantation using an individualized and a standardized instrument.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to prospectively measure quality of life in patients with malignant blood disorders following stem cell transplantation (SCT) using an individualized and a standardized measure.


METHODS
Twenty-two consecutive patients were assessed before and one year following SCT, using a generic and disease-related version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results of the QLQ-C30 were compared with Swedish norm values.


RESULTS
A majority of the patients reported concerns related to health before as well as one year after SCT, recorded by both instruments. Mean scores produced by the SEIQoL-DW, and four scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30, showed a change over time, indicating improved quality of life one year after SCT. In comparison with Swedish norm values for the EORTC QLQ-C30, SCT recipients reported a worse functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to well-known disease and treatment-related problems, areas not typically included in standardized instruments were nominated in the disease-related SEIQoL-DW. Such areas included positive aspects, e.g. a changed view of life and oneself. The results support the use of the generic and disease-related SEIQoL-DW to achieve a comprehensive picture of patient's clinical situation under treatment or when recovering from illness.
Wettergren
L
L
Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. lena.wettergren@ki.se
Sprangers
M
M
Björkholm
M
M
Langius-Eklöf
A
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012074:Remission Induction; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents