QUALITY-OF-LIFE OF BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT LONG-TERM SURVIVORS

Adult survivors of bone marrow transplantation not in life threatening relapse were surveyed with a mailed questionnaire 6-149 months after transplant. Of 171 eligible patients, 157 were contacted and 135 (86%) responded. Survivors showed a high degree of overall satisfaction wit h major life domains but were least satisfied with their bodies, level of physical strength and ability to attain sexual satisfaction. Posit ive and negative affect were higher than general population samples an d less tension, fatigue, confusion and depression were displayed than comparison groups. Multiple regression analyses showed that self-estee m and level of current physical functioning made significant contribut ions to predicting multiple quality-of-life outcomes. Previous graft-v ersus-host disease was predictive of low satisfaction with life domain s. Lack of social support was predictive of anger and Negative Affect. Transplantation at a younger age was related to overall life satisfac tion, vigor and Positive Affect. Women showed more Negative Affect tha n men. Time since transplant related to level of confusion among patie nts. Most survivors reported high levels of perceived quality of life on multiple indicators. Self-esteem, current level of physical functio ning, social support and age at bone marrow transplantation were predi ctive of quality of life outcomes.