In:
British Journal of Haematology, Wiley, Vol. 168, No. 3 ( 2015-02), p. 361-370
Abstract:
The primary objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with fatigue severity in newly diagnosed patients with higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes ( MDS ). The secondary objectives were to assess symptom prevalence and to examine the relationships between fatigue, quality of life ( Q o L ) and overall symptom burden in these patients. The analyses were conducted in 280 higher‐risk MDS patients. Pre‐treatment patient‐reported fatigue was evaluated with the F unctional A ssessment of C hronic I llness T herapy ( FACIT )‐ F atigue scale and Q o L was assessed with the E uropean O rganization for R esearch and T reatment of C ancer Q uality of L ife Q uestionnaire‐ C ore 30 ( EORTC QLQ ‐ C 30). Female gender ( P = 0·018), poor performance status (i.e., ECOG of 2–4) ( P 〈 0·001) and lower levels of haemoglobin ( H b) ( P = 0·026) were independently associated with higher fatigue severity. The three most prevalent symptoms were as follows: fatigue (92%), dyspnoea (63%) and pain (55%). Patients with higher levels of fatigue also had greater overall symptom burdens. The mean global Q o L scores of patients with the highest versus those with the lowest levels of fatigue were 29·2 [standard deviation ( SD ), 18·3] and 69·0 ( SD , 18·8), respectively and this difference was four times the magnitude of a clinically meaningful difference. Patient‐reported fatigue severity revealed the effects of disease burden on overall Q o L more accurately than did degree of anaemia. Special attention should be given to the female patients in the management of fatigue.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0007-1048
,
1365-2141
DOI:
10.1111/bjh.2015.168.issue-3
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1475751-5