Ocena jakości życia pacjentów z przewlekłą białaczką szpikową w chwili ustalenia rozpoznania i po leczeniu imatinibem

Introduction :  The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QL) in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) on diagnosis, and after 1 month and 12 months of treatment with imatinib, and to identify therapeutic elements which significantly lower the QL in the patients. Materials and methods :  Assessment of QL was performed in adult patients diagnosed with CML hospitalized in the Department of Haematology, Department of Chemotherapy, and the Haematology Outpatient Clinic, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin (Poland). Quality of life was assessed with 2 questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D, while symptoms of depression were measured using the CES-D questionnaire. Quality of life was analyzed at 3 time points: on diagnosis (A1), after 1 month (A2), and after 12 months of therapy (A3). All groups of patients were treated with imatinib. Results :  Emotional functioning and global health status and subjective QL significantly improved from A1 to A3. Patients reported significantly less fatigue and pain. Symptoms of depression significantly reduced during treatment. The group of patients caring for others in serious illness had reported a higher index of depression. Patients without any academic degree or extra qualifications, and the group of patients caring for others in serious illness, had reported significantly lower cognitive functioning. Conclusions :  Measurement of various aspects of QL using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D questionnaires showed significant improvements after the 1 st  month of treatment compared to the state at diagnosis of CML. Due to high levels on the CES-D Depression Scale patients with CML do require constant psychological assistance and in some cases also psychiatric help.