Muhammad Umair Mushtaq

Health-related quality of life in underserved patients with hematologic malignancies.

238 Background: Patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies have poor general health and the issues faced by vulnerable population segments further aggravate the situation. We aimed to explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among underserved patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS A cross-sectional study, including 95 patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancy, was conducted at Cook County Hospital, Chicago from Dec. 2014 to July 2015. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire was used to ascertain HRQoL. A standardized score (scale 0-100) was calculated for all variables and mean scores (MS) are reported. Higher score for HRQoL and functional scales and lower score on symptom scales indicated good health. Bivariate analysis, using t-test and ANOVA, was conducted to explore predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS The study included 48% Hispanics, 27% Afro-Americans, 14% Asians and 7% Caucasians. Median age was 53.8 years and 55% were males. Demographic analysis showed- 47% were fluent in english, 40% had insurance, 56% were US citizens, 14% were employed, 33% were high school graduates and 79% had good social support. Primary diagnosis were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (29.5%), AML (26%), ALL (17%), CML (9.5%), Hodgkin lymphoma (9.5%), CLL (4%) and multiple myeloma (4%). Median time since diagnosis was 2 years where 35% patients were in remission, 16% had relapsed disease and 58% were on chemotherapy. Overall HRQoL was poor (MS 62). Functional impairment was noted (MS 69) in all aspects including physical (MS 72), role (MS 66), emotional (MS 70), cognitive (MS 74) and social functioning (MS 65). Financial difficulties (MS 54), insomnia (MS 35), pain (MS 32), dyspnea (MS 24), poor appetite (MS 24), constipation (MS 23), fatigue (MS 17) and diarrhea (MS 14) were reported (symptom scale MS 29). Age, gender, socio-demographics, cancer type and treatment status did not significantly affect HRQoL, functional and symptom scores. Information regarding the disease was poor (MS 41). CONCLUSIONS Poor HRQoL amongst underserved patients was observed which should be addressed. Our findings warrant large-scale studies to explore resources amongst the urban underserved blood cancer patients.