Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Receiving TKI Therapy for CML
Posted: Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Several variables play a role in patient-reported symptoms for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase; they include the type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), the duration of therapy, the depth of response, as well as demographic and social factors. Lu Yu, MD, of Peking University Institute of Hematology in Beijing, China, and colleagues published this analysis of health-related quality of life in the journal Medicine.
The investigators administered anonymous Chinese-language questionnaires to 1,142 adults with chronic phase CML receiving TKI therapy for at least 3 months. Patients were asked questions regarding the incidence of various symptoms, their severity, and health-related quality of life.
The most commonly reported symptoms related to use of TKIs were fatigue, periorbital edema, lower limb edema, chest distress/shortness of breath, memory deterioration, skin color change, alopecia, muscle cramp, weight gain, musculoskeletal pain, and pruritus. In addition, 50% of women younger than age 50 (n = 141) reported menstrual disorders. Factors associated with an increase in the frequency and severity of such symptoms were being female, being married, using foreign generic TKIs, and a therapy duration of 1 to 3 years. By contrast, the receipt of nilotinib or dasatinib as well as achievement of a complete cytogenetic response—but not a complete molecular response—seemed to be associated with fewer and milder symptoms.
Experiencing chest distress and shortness of breath was associated with lower physical component summary and mental component summary scores. Loss of appetite was likewise associated with lower scores. Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, and abdominal pain were all linked to lower physical component summary scores, whereas anxiety and depression were linked to lower mental component summary scores.
Disclosure: The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
