Quality of life of patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Objective: Assessing the quality of life of adult patients with hematological cancer in the 100 days after transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and verifying whether the variable graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is predictive of worse results. Method: An observational correlational and quantitative study with 36 adult participants diagnosed with hematologic cancer who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from September 2013 to June 2015. Result: The mean age was 37 years, 52.78% were female, and 61.11% were diagnosed with leukemia. Quality of life scores showed a significant impact between pre-transplantation and pre-hospital discharge, and also within the 100 days post-transplantation. The statistical analysis between the scores for the groups with and without GvHD showed a significant difference between the presence of the complication and worse results. Conclusion: Quality of life is altered as a result of hematopoietic stem cells transplantation, especially in patients who have graft-versushost disease. DESCRIPTORS

Psychological suffering of patients transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells

“…Psychological suffering such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders may lead to a reduction in the quality of life of transplanted individuals, when added to the physical aspects (pain, chemotherapy-related toxicity, nausea, vomiting, among others) and social aspects (social isolation related to prolonged hospitalization period) (PROENÇA et al, 2016).…”

“…In the conditioning phase and in the immediate and late post-transplant period, the patient experiences the greatest number of physical, emotional/psychological and social changes resulting from the therapeutic itinerary, changes in individual roles and social isolation. The posttransplantation time around 100 days represents a reference in the trajectory of the treatment since it is a stage in which a large part of the complications with lethal potential occur, such as Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) (PROENÇA et al, 2016). Patients who experience complications for long periods are more susceptible to the development of psychological disorders (KAPUCU; KARACAN, 2014).…”

Bleeding frequency during physiotherapy in thrombocytopenic patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

“…Hematological neoplasms comprise a wide category of alterations that affect the functioning of the bone marrow and lymphoid organs, compromising the production and function of hematopoietic cells [1,2]. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 509,590 cases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 437,033 cases of Leukemia [3].…”

“…The treatment of hematological malignancies involves intense medical regimens, and in some cases, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), resulting in extended periods of hospitalization, high risk of infection and re-hospitalizations, interfering with biological, psychological and social aspects of patients and family members [2,4]. During the pre-and post-HSCT period, the recipients are susceptible to the toxicities of conditioning with myeloablative chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and complications resulting from HSCT, which have deleterious effects on the cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal system.…”

Bone marrow transplantation and adverse reactions present in post-transplantation patients: a literature review

“…This is due to the processes to which the patient is submitted to be able to perform the transplant. Even though the therapeutic process aims to cure the patient, still, the onset of diseases or even death can occur (PROENÇA et al, 2016).…”