title: Symptoms after hospital discharge following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to assess the symptoms of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients after hospital discharge, and to determine the needs of transplant patients for symptom management.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study adopted a descriptive design. The study sample comprised of 66 hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. The study was conducted in Istanbul. Data were collected using Patient Information Form and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of psychological symptoms in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients after discharge period (PSYCH subscale score 2.11 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.69, range: 0.93-3.80)) was higher in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients than frequency of physical symptoms (PHYS subscale score: 1.59 (SD = 0.49, range: 1.00-3.38)). Symptom distress caused by psychological and physical symptoms were at moderate level (mean = 1.91, SD = 0.60, range: 0.95-3.63) and most distressing symptoms were problems with sexual interest or activity, difficulty sleeping, and diarrhea. Patients who did not have an additional chronic disease obtained higher MSAS scores. University graduates obtained higher Global Distress Index (GDI) subscale and total MSAS scores with comparison to primary school graduates. Total MSAS, MSAS-PHYS subscale, and MSAS-PSYCH subscale scores were higher in patients with low level of income (P < 0.05). The patients (98.5%) reported to receive education about symptom management after hospital discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients continue to experience many distressing physical or psychological symptoms after discharge and need to be supported and educated for the symptom management.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nurse, Sisli Florence Nightingale Hospital Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Abide-i Hurriyet Caddesi, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gamze
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oguz
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Bahcesehir University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ciragan Caddesi Osmanpasa Mektebi Sokak, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semiha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Bahcesehir University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ciragan Caddesi Osmanpasa Mektebi Sokak, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zehra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Durna
keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Patient; Post-discharge; Symptoms