title: Quality of life in elderly patients with essential thrombocythaemia. An Italian multicentre study.
abstract: Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by elevated platelet counts and increased incidence of thrombosis and haemorrhage. Median age at diagnosis is 65-70 years. Life expectancy is similar to that of the healthy population. Symptoms and complications may affect quality of life (QoL); in particular, in elderly patients ET may represent an additional burden. We performed a survey in 494 elderly ET patients to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Comorbidities were present in 305 (62%) patients. Factorial analysis based on survey items representing psychological aspects of daily life identified an "attitude domain" with four clusters of patients: (A) very pessimistic (n = 99), (B) pessimistic (n = 101), (C) optimistic (n = 90), and (D) very optimistic (n = 107). Patients in cluster A had more comorbidities (p = 0.003) while patients in cluster D required fewer medical visits and were less disturbed by medications (p < 0.0001). Independent factors predicting Short-Form Health Survey, version 2 physical QoL were grade of optimism (p < 0.0001), gender (p = 0.007), and Charlson comorbidity index (p < 0.0001)). Grade of optimism and disturbances related to medication predicted mental QOL (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, physicians should take into consideration PROs, as "attitude" is associated with physical and mental QoL. Treatment should be tailored to patients' needs according to comorbidities, lifestyle, and psychological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy. estheroliva@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Esther Natalie
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piccin
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mazzucconi
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morra
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Recine
authors.forename: Enrico Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pogliani
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pane
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gugliotta
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krampera
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cascavilla
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cacciola
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cacciola
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fioritoni
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanin
authors.forename: Anna Marina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Liberati
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Angelucci
authors.forename: Sante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*