Self-Reported Distress: Adult Acute Leukemia Survivors During and After Induction Therapy

Background: Data suggest that acute leukemia survivors experience moderate to severe distress that does not significantly decline from diagnosis through survivorship.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess acute leukemia survivors’ level and source of self-reported distress from active cancer treatment through six months post-treatment.

Methods: A cross-sectional group-comparison design was used. Male (n = 60) and female (n = 40) survivors aged 19–84 years were accrued from a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center. Patients were sampled at four time points: during induction therapy, at completion, and at three and six months after the end of induction therapy. Distress was self-reported using the Distress Thermometer and its 38-item Problem List (PL). Analysis of variance and chi-square determined relationships among distress scores, PL endorsements, subscale scores, and time groups.

Findings: Self-reported distress was elevated for all groups. Highest distress scores were found during induction therapy.