Quality of Life One Year Following Bone Marrow Transplantation: Psychometric Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors Tool

Purpose/Objectives: To examine a comprehensive view of quality of life (QOL) post-bone marrow transplant (post-BMT) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument designed to measure QOL in this population.

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive, mailed survey.

Setting: A large, major BMT referral center for central, eastern, and southern Kentucky.

Sample: 41 BMT survivors with an age range of 18-71 years who were an average of 30 months post-BMT.

Methods: Seven mailed questionnaires, including an investigator-developed demographic questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors Tool (QOL-BMT-ST).

Main Research Variables: QOL, BMT treatment, sexual activities, employment, and uncertainty.

Findings: Global QOL was good (mean = 6.4 on a 0-10 scale). Subjects experienced several long-term areas of concern: physical strength, sexual activities, fear of cancer recurrence, fear of developing a secondary cancer, unemployment, family distress, and uncertainty toward the future. Psychometric testing of the QOL-BMT-ST revealed adequate to excellent reliability and validity.

Conclusions: Most BMT survivors reported few long-term disruptions and above average QOL. The QOL-BMT-ST has a promising utility in clinical trials.

Implications for Nursing Practice: Individually structured pre- and post-BMT assessment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual functioning is significant in identifying vulnerable patients and treating them accordingly.