Quality of Life and Social Support Levels in Leukemia Patients

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the quality of life, level of social support, and its influencing factors in leukemia patients. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 117 leukemia patients who applied to the Hematology Outpatient Clinic of a Medical Faculty Hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Normality analysis, descriptive statistics, difference analysis between pairs and multiple groups and correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. Results: It was determined that the global quality of life, functioning and symptom of leukemia patients were affected by personal and disease-related characteristics such as age, gender, number of children, Body Mass Index, marital status, educational status, type of leukemia, adaptation to the disease, and diagnosis, duration of treatment (p<0.05). It was determined that social support was positively correlated with the global quality of life and functioning scores of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 and negatively correlated with the symptoms of loss of appetite and financial difficulties (p<0.05). Conclusion and Suggestions:Providing holistic care by nurses and taking into account the personal and disease-related characteristics of leukemia patients will improve their quality of life and social support level.

Investigation of the Relationship between Health Literacy and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Treated in the Oncology Clinic

“…Diagnosing cancer and starting treatment upsets the physical, emotional, social and economic order of the person and the family, prevents them from being satisfied with life and reduces their quality of life (Bıkmaz & Unsar, 2021). Determining the level of impact on the quality of life of patients receiving chemotherapy is important in terms of helping patients in this regard (Arslan & Bolukbas, 2003).…”