Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Patient and Caregiver Quality of Life
Posted: Friday, July 19, 2019
According to research presented at the 2019 International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (Abstract 522) in Lugano, Switzerland, caregivers for patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma undergoing outpatient autologous stem cell transplantation reported a worsened quality of life compared with caregivers for patients undergoing inpatient transplantation. However, patient quality of life did not significantly differ between the two groups.
“There was significant deterioration of various aspects of [quality of life] in the overall population. Inpatient caregivers report better [quality of life] than outpatients, though [the] sample size limits further analyses,” concluded Anca Prica, MD, of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, and colleagues.
The study included 52 patients (21 inpatient, 31 outpatient), the majority of whom were male (67%), and 51 caregivers, the majority of whom were spouses (73%). The average patient age was 57 years. Both patients and caregivers responded to quality-of-life surveys at five points during treatment: D0 (baseline), D+7, D+14, D+28, and D+100. Patients completed FACT-BMT (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bone Marrow Transplant), FACT–Fatigue, EQ5D (EuroQol -5D), and distress impact thermometer questionnaires, whereas caregivers completed the Caregiver Quality of Life Index–Cancer, distress impact thermometer, financial impact thermometer, and financial burden questionnaires.
Overall, patient quality-of-life scores worsened significantly at D+7, based on the results from the FACT-BMT, FACT-Fatigue, and EQ5D, but each had improved by D+100, including above-baseline FACT-BMT and EQ5D scores. The average lost opportunity costs for caregivers was estimated at $4,195. By a slim margin, caregiver quality-of-life scores were consistently higher throughout treatment for those caring for inpatients.
Disclosure: The study authors’ disclosure information can be found at lymphcon.ch.
