title: Evaluation of QOL for stem cell transplantation recipients by SF-36 and FACT-BMT: preliminary results of FACT-BMT for Japanese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of life (QOL) measurement is a powerful instrument for assessing medical morbidity from the patient's perspective. We measured the QOL of patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in Japan to validate the FACT-BMT scale in comparison to SF-36.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional survey for transplant recipients receiving treatment at our outpatient clinic. Recipients undergoing autologous and allogeneic SCT between October 2002 and March 2006 were eligible. Participants completed both the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy survey specific to bone marrow transplantation (FACT-BMT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six patients were enlisted, including 24 post-autologous SCT patients and 12 post-allogeneic SCT patients. The median time required to answer all questions was 9 and 11 minutes for SF-36 and FACT-BMT surveys, respectively. Cronbach's a was over 0. 7 for all domains in both SF-36 and FACT-BMT. Inter-scale correlations between all domains except for BP in SF-36 and BMT in FACT-BMT had correlation coefficients greater than 0. 4. The internal consistencies of both surveys were confirmed in Japanese patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study indicated the feasibility and partial validity of FACT-BMT in a one-time follow-up of QOL for Japanese patients after SCT.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Imataki
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Yotaro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: Kimihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawakami
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous