Gender-associated differences in the quality of life after allogeneic BMT

The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) of male and female allogeneic BMT recipients. One hundred and nine BMT patients par ticipated in this cross-sectional survey and completed the following instru ments: Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT-BMT version 3), shor tened version of Profile of Mood States (POMS), MOS Survey of Social Suppor t, and A Brief Measure of Social Support (SSQ6). Independent of the time po st-BMT, perceived physical well-being, age at BMT, and education, females r eported worse emotional well-being and more fatigue than males. Females als o indicated more tiredness and less quality sleep. Males were found to expe rience less satisfaction with social support regardless of marital status. On the other hand, married males were more satisfied with their sexual life , more interested in sexual relationships, and more sexually active compare d to married females. However, no significant differences between males and females were found in terms of overall physical, functional, and social we ll-being assessed by the FACT-BMT. The present results indicated that impor tant gender differences exist among allogeneic BMT recipients which need to be addressed when designing post-treatment intervention programs for BMT r ecipients.