Psychological functioning and quality of life following bone marrow transplantation: A 3-year follow-up study

Objective: To assess changes in quality of life and psychological distress following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and variables related to this c hange. Methods: One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at the Leiden University Medical Centre b etween 1987 and 1992 filled in questionnaires measuring quality of life, fu nctional limitations, psychological distress, anxiety, depression, self-est eem, and health locus of control. Measurements were taken before the BMT; 1 month after discharge; and 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after the BMT. Re sults: Three years after BMT, a quarter of the patients continued to experi ence serious functional limitations. Thirteen percent of the patients score d >4 on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a percentage comparable to general population prevalence. Quality of life was reported to be good t o excellent by almost 90% of the patients at three years. Changes in qualit y of life could be explained entirely by changes in functional limitations and somatic symptoms. Changes in psychological distress were also related t o these measures, and furthermore to baseline psychological functioning. Co nclusion: Although patients were doing well three years after BMT, there wa s a group of patients needing help. In interventions special attention shou ld be given to patients with ongoing psychological problems. Emphasis shoul d be on coping with physical limitations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.