title: Symptom burden and supportive care in patients with acute leukemia.
abstract: We examined the symptoms and referral rates to specialized palliative care and psychosocial oncology services of patients with acute leukemia. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) was completed by 249 adult patients with acute leukemia. Patients reported a median of 9 physical and 2 psychological symptoms, and those with intense lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and pain were more likely to report intense worrying/sadness (P<0.001). No patients with moderate-severe pain were referred for specialized symptom control and only 13% of those with severe worrying/sadness were referred to psychiatry/psychology within one month of the assessment. Patients in this population have a substantial symptom burden; further research is needed to determine the benefit of early referral to specialized supportive care services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. camilla.zimmermann@uhn.ca
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mischitelle
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Minden
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brandwein
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schimmer
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gagliese
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rydall
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult